HCAHP score petition.......

[JasmineLRN]

Hi,

Healthcare workers are constantly being attacked about HCAHP scores that do not reflect the quality of care that is being given to patients each day. Hosptial reimbursements should not be tied to top box surveys that do not accurately convey how a person's plan of care was carried out.

That's why I created a petition to The United States House of Representatives, The United States Senate, and President Barack Obama, which says:

"Stop using HCAHPS scores for hospital reimbursement because it is not a true reflection of patient care!"

Will you sign my petition? Click here to add your name:

http://petitions.moveon.org/sign/nurses-against-hcahps?source=c.fwd&r_by=8185419

Thanks!

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[MunoRN, RN]

You might consider presenting a more coherent argument if you're hoping to get any momentum. I think there are plenty of valid criticims of HCAHPs, such as it doesn't take into account regional/cultural variations of how people tend to rate their "satisfaction", and it tends to identify facilities that are financially challenged and then just further financially challenge them. Also, patients tend to rate their satisfaction based on other factors that aren't intended to be assessed by HCAHPs such as amenities, food, parking, etc.

But I don't think the gist of your point is valid since it is actually intended to assess how well the plan of care is being implemented. The questions address pain control, and pain control is part of a plan of care. Patient education is part of a plan of care. Safe discharge is part of a plan of care. So basically, what the HCAHPs ask is simply "are nurses and other staff at this facility doing their job"?

If the facility isn't adequately doing what it's being paid to do, it shouldn't get paid in full, which seems pretty reasonable.

[classicdame, MSN, EdD]

I do not think patients are capable of evaluating their care at all times. For instance, the question about the staff being ALWAYS responsive when you wanted them to be. Really? This implies nurse is just waiting for a bell to ring. Some of hte questions are just plain unrealistic in the way they are worded, especially since "Always" is the only answer documented. And what is the employer supposed to do about it anyway? You can't fire everyone.

[toomuchbaloney]

http://www.hcahpsonline.org/Files/HCAHPS%20V7%200%20Appendix%20A1%20-%20HCAHPS%20Expanded%20Mail%20Survey%20Materials%20%28English%29%20July%202012.pdf

During this hospital stay, after you pressed the call button, how often did you get help as soon as you wanted it?

Cutting support and non-nursing staff does nothing to improve the responses to that question.

Does the survey define courtesy and respect? If the hospital wants to do well on the survey they should make certain to define them for the patients who will participate.