Associated Press
By KEVIN FREKING – 1 day ago
WASHINGTON (AP) — The federal government is spending nearly .9 million on newspaper ads around the country that disclose hospital satisfaction rates, part of a unique campaign to improve health care through the power of publicity.
The full-page ads will show for better or worse how patients rated more than 2,500 hospitals nationwide.
The ads feature two questions: The percentage of patients who always got help when they needed it. And the percentage of patients who got antibiotics one hour before surgery. The latter question reflects broad interest in curbing infections acquired at the hospital.
The ads reflect an emphasis by the Bush administration to increase transparency in the health care system. Officials say greater public disclosure of costs and quality will drive providers to improve on both fronts.
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