RESUMEN
Despite the availability of endorsed quality measures and widespread usage of hospice, hospice quality data are rarely available to consumers. Moreover, little is known about how consumers prioritize extant measures. This study drew on focus group and survey data collected in 5 metropolitan areas. The study found that consumers reported the hospice quality indicators we tested were easy to understand. Participants placed top priority on measures related to pain and symptom management. Relative to consumers with hospice experience, consumers without previous experience tended to place less value on spiritual support for patients and caregivers, emotional support for caregivers, and after-hours availability. The National Quality Forum-approved measures resonate well with consumers. Consumers also appear to be ready for access to data on the quality of hospice providers.
Asunto(s)
Cuidadores/psicología , Cuidados Paliativos al Final de la Vida/psicología , Cuidados Paliativos al Final de la Vida/normas , Indicadores de Calidad de la Atención de Salud/estadística & datos numéricos , Indicadores de Calidad de la Atención de Salud/normas , Anciano , Anciano de 80 o más Años , Información de Salud al Consumidor/métodos , Femenino , Grupos Focales , Conocimientos, Actitudes y Práctica en Salud , Humanos , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Factores Socioeconómicos , EspiritualidadRESUMEN
The Affordable Care Act requires US hospices to report quality data to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) in 2013 with data eventually being made public. There may be some benefit to participating in a voluntary public-reporting program prior to public disclosure by CMS; therefore, we developed and conducted an electronic survey exploring California hospices' perceptions of public reporting. The majority (78.1%) of respondents reported current use of the Family Evaluation of Hospice Care tool and a willingness to consider voluntary participation in a public-reporting program outside of what is being implemented by CMS (58.6%). Tax status of responding hospices was not predictive of a willingness to participate in a statewide public-reporting program of hospice quality in our study.