Hospitals invited to learn from experiences in implementing HSMR
Event returns by popular demand
Thursday November 27, 2008 -- Jason Thompson
The Quality Healthcare Network (QHN) is inviting hospitals to gather in Toronto Dec. 5 to learn from the experiences of others when implementing the Hospital Standardized Mortality Ratio (HSMR).

Organized as part of the QHN’s 2008 Open House Series, “More Tales About HSMR — How Organizations are Improving the Quality and Safety of Care,” is returning for a third straight year and features four presentations discussing the various approaches taken by hospitals who have used HSMR in concert with safety improvement efforts.

According to QHN, the presentations will detail how the use of HSMR as part of an organization’s performance strategy is serving as a catalyst for improving the safety and quality of the care they offer.

Representatives from Trillium Health Centre, St. Michael’s Hospital, Toronto East General Hospital and Southlake Regional Health Centre are scheduled to present their organization’s HSMR experience.

The event will also feature an open dialogue between participants and presenters along with comments from Eugene Wen, the Canadian Institute for Healthcare Information’s (CIHI) manager of health indicators, who will update participants on HSMR developments and the upcoming public release of HSMR as per guidelines set forth by the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care.

Originally developed in the United Kingdom in the 90s, HSMR is becoming increasingly recognized among Canadian hospitals as an important tool in support of efforts to improve patient safety and the quality of care in Canada. The method has also been embraced by hospitals in Holland and the United States.

By comparing the average number of deaths in specific hospitals with national averages, and taking certain variables into consideration, HSMR allows organizations to assess their mortality rates and identify areas for quality improvement.

Efforts to calculate HSMR in Canada are being led by CIHI.

First published in 2007, CIHI is preparing the release of a second report detailing HSMR results across the country (excluding Quebec) including results from larger health regions and hospitals. The report is expected to be released Dec. 11.

Click here for more information or to register for QHN’s HSMR open house.

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