Q1

What is the data source and timeframe for the hospital comparison tool – consumer? 

A1

The data source is BCBSTX priced inpatient admissions claims data with incurred dates between 11/1/2006 and 10/31/2007, paid through 1/31/2008.

Q2

What is the data source and timeframe for the hospital comparison tool – professional?

A2

Once the user is logged into the tool, in the upper right hand corner, there are links that can be selected to obtain details regarding the following topics:  “About the Data”, “Methodology” and “FAQs”.  Please refer to these links to obtain the most recent information.

Q3

How is the relative cost calculated for the hospital comparison tool – consumer? 

A3

Please refer to the Cost Comparison Methodology for these details.  You can link to this page by clicking here. 

Q4

Does the relative cost reflect only costs for Blue Cross and Blue Shield patients? 

A4

Yes.  The costs are determined based on BCBSTX priced inpatient admissions claims data. 

Q5

How frequently is the data in the hospital comparison tool updated? 

A5

The consumer portion is updated periodically as data becomes available. The professional portion is updated annually.

Q6

How is the complications index calculated in the consumer tool?

A6

Complications Index:  A point score used based on the frequency and severity of each complication at each hospital.  The average is 100.  Complications include: decubitus ulcer (bedsore), Hemorrhage Complications (Complications from internal bleeding after a medical procedure), Care related complications (may be caused by doctor or other health care personnel during medical treatment or procedure), Miscellaneous complications [Other complications that might suggest possible substandard care and poor outcomes, which are not included in any of the other quality indicator definitions.  These include, but are not limited to, post-procedure bleeding, the development of an abnormal passage or opening between internal organs or from an internal organ to the body surface (persistent postoperative fistula), loss of lung elasticity (emphysema), cataract fragments, non-healing surgical wounds, transfusion reactions, and anesthesia shock.] 

Q7

What is the methodology for calculating the mortality and complications in the consumer tool? 

A7

The mortality is the percentage of patients that died while being treated at each hospital.

The Complications Index is based on the frequency of each problem at each hospital as well as the resources required to treat the patient (in terms of longer hospital stays and need for additional resources such as lab tests, x-rays, and medications).  A Complications Index of 100 is the area average.  Therefore, a Complications Index of less than 100 means better performance on quality than the average of the hospitals in the area.  A Complications Index greater than 100 means worse performance on quality than the average of the hospitals in the area.

Q8

What is the methodology for assigning the "+" and "-" on the AMI, heart failure, pneumonia, infection prevention and patient safety in the hospital comparison tool – professional?

A8

Results are assigned as follows:

  +   Scored in the top 25% of all hospitals for a given indicator
  Scored in the middle 50% of all hospitals for a given indicator
  Scored in the bottom 25% of all hospitals for a given indicator

Q9

Is the timeframe for the measures compared on the hospital comparison tool (professional and consumer) the same as the timeframe for the measures in BlueCompare/BlueQ reports?

A9

No.  The time period for each of these will vary as indicated below:

Hospital Comparison Tool – Professional: Refer to the following links once the user is logged into the Tool to obtain the data time period- “About the Data”, “Methodology” and “FAQs”. 

Hospital Comparison Tool – Consumer:  This assessment used incurred claims 11/1/2006, through 10/31/2007, paid through 1/31/2008.

BlueQ Report includes various dates, depending on the data source.  See report for date details by category.

Q10

When using the Hospital Comparison Tool, are explanations available? 

A10

Yes. As the user navigates through the tool, explanations are available through pop up balloons and by links developed to provide the user with detailed information about the data and methodologies.

posted 06/2008