The HCAHPS initiative is a subset of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services’ (CMS) Quality Initiative that was launched in 2002. HCAHPS is being implemented nationally as part of the work of the Hospital Quality Alliance (HQA), a partnership of federal agencies, hospital organizations, consumer and employer groups, clinicians, and other key national groups interested in quality measurement and public transparency.

Participation in HCAPHS is voluntary; however, with the Deficit Reduction Act that was recently passed, beginning in 2007 it is recommended that HCAHPS be included under the Pay for Reporting measures.

In order to participate in the HCAHPS national implementation, hospitals must participate in the initial Dry Run (Spring and Summer of 2006). After the initial Dry Run, hospitals that are not on board must wait to participate in the second Dry Run (March 2007). Data from the Dry Run periods will not be publicly reported. National implementation will begin late 2007, early 2008.

Baptist Health Care Leadership Institute works closely with its clients in developing strategies to improve patients’ perceptions of their care. With many tools and practices available, the Leadership Institute can assist your organization in achieving extraordinary HCAHPS results. For more information, please contact 850-469-7084.

About the HCAHPS Survey

The survey contains 27 questions (1-22 are the core questions; 23-27 are demographic questions). The questions are categorized into seven themes (nurse communication, doctor communication, cleanliness and quiet of hospital environment, responsiveness of hospital staff, pain management, communication about medicines, and discharge information). The survey may be used as a stand-alone survey or combined with hospital specific items. If combined, the HCAHPS questions must be presented before any additional items. Currently, Spanish and Chinese are the only languages offered for the HCAHPS survey. For more HCAHPS information, please visit: http://www.hcahpsonline.org/. To view the survey, please click here.

• HCAHPS Consumer Reporting Site – http://www.hospitalcompare.hhs.gov/
• HCAHPS Online – http://www.hcahpsonline.org/ 
• Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services – http://www.cms.hhs.gov/ 
• Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality – http://www.ahrq.gov/