 Required for full payment
Under development since 2002, the CAHPS Hospital Survey is now required for short term, acute care hospitals seeking a full IPPS payment update beginning in FY 2008. This survey provides a standardized instrument and methodology for measuring patients’ perspectives on hospital care and a means to report this data publicly. The Myers Group is an approved vendor to administer this survey, having completed mandatory training through The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS).
For hospitals seeking full payment that have not yet met a “Dry Run” requirement, the “Dry Run” of the survey must be administered to eligible patients with March 2007 discharges. This practice survey administration must happen in order for hospitals to be eligible to participate in monthly data collection beginning with July 2007 discharges. The Myers Group is currently contracting with hospitals and helping them navigate through the process of preparing for the “Dry Run”.
The CAHPS Hospital Survey consists of 27 questions currently offered in English and Spanish. Seven domains or composites are included in the survey, including:
- Nurse communication
- Doctor communication
- Discharge information
- Cleanliness and quietness of hospital environment
- Responsiveness of hospital staff
- Pain management
- Communication about medicines
The Myers Group may conduct the survey in any of the following methodologies, including:
- A mail-only methodology (two-wave mail)
- Mixed mail and telephone methodology (one-wave mail, plus telephone interviews with non-respondents)
- A telephone only methodology
The Myers Group highly recommends the telephone-only data collection methodology for the following reasons:
- It is the most cost effective methodology for hospitals.
- It increases the likelihood of obtaining the desired number of survey completes monthly.
- It reaches patients more quickly, enabling professional interviewers to obtain completed surveys as soon as possible following discharge.
The first public reporting of results is scheduled for late 2007. These results will be posted on the Hospital Compare website, www.hospitalcompare.hhs.gov.
For more information on the CAHPS Hospital Survey or a proposal, call 770-978-3173, extension 1350. |
