Modern Healthcare (registration required) released an article yesterday examining the data provided at the Hospital Compare website.  The release of a massive amount of data from hundreds of providers nationwide was unprecedented, something Health and Human Services Secretary Michael Leavitt compared to making the leap from Pong to Wii games.  So it is not surprising that new and interesting information is emerging and being questioned, even though the data is characterized as "preliminary".

Experts in the article are interested in results that show rural hospitals performing well on satisfaction and recommendation measures.  However, some health professionals are not surprised at all, citing a culture of hospitality among facilities in southern states.

Leavitt and other CMS officials have discussed the new transparency and accountability possibilities that exist as a result of the HCAHPS survey and data release, pushing it as concurrent with a new method of health care and choice that consumers relate to.

At the end of the article, Modern Healthcare asks for public comment.

Source: Modern Healthcare.