Examining the Quality and Efficiency of Care in U.S. Safety Net Hospitals

Award Amount: $316,587
Approval Date: April 10, 2007
Start Date: July 1, 2007
End Date: June 30, 2009
Health Research and Educational Trust
One North Franklin Street, 30th Floor
Chicago, Illinois 60606
Principal Investigator: Romana Hasnain-Wynia, Ph.D.

A large proportion of low-income, uninsured, and minority Americans receive their care in public hospitals and other safety net institutions. Very little is known, however, about the quality of care delivered in these facilities. Using national data provided by the Hospital Quality Alliance and the American Hospital Association, the project investigators will conduct the first national study of quality in safety net hospitals, focusing on the treatment provided to patients admitted with myocardial infarction, congestive heart failure, and community-acquired pneumonia. As part of the study, the project team will also survey safety net hospital leaders to determine the extent to which their institutions possess organizational systems and capacity, such as electronic health record systems, that facilitate engagement in quality improvement activities. Based on these findings, the investigators will recommend steps that safety net hospitals can take to achieve higher performance.