Hospitals throughout Pennsylvania reported lower mortality and readmission rates in fiscal year 2016 than in fiscal year 2011, according to a Pennsylvania Health Care Cost Containment Council report.
The Pennsylvania Health Care Cost Containment Council is an independent state agency tasked with addressing high healthcare expenses. For the report, the council examined hospital-specific outcomes for 16 medical conditions and surgical procedures. Data comprise inpatient hospital discharges from October 2015 to September 2016, across all Pennsylvania acute care hospitals and some specialty hospitals.
Here are four key findings from the report.
1. From 2011 to 2016, Pennsylvania hospitals saw a statistically significant decrease in in-hospital mortality rates.
2. In-hospital mortality rates related to sepsis decreased the most during that time, from 15.4 percent in 2011 to 8.8 percent in 2016.
3. Pennsylvania hospitals witnessed a statistically significant decrease in 30-day readmissions in the same time frame.
4. Once again, sepsis accounted for the largest decrease, with related readmission rates dropping from 21.4 percent in 2011 to 17.9 percent in 2016.