AHRQ: Healthcare quality disparities persist
In general, healthcare quality is improving across the U.S., but disparities for minority and low-income residents persist, according to the 2010 State Snapshots, released June 1 by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ).
New Hampshire, Minnesota, Maine, Massachusetts and Rhode Island showed the greatest overall healthcare quality performance improvement last year, the AHRQ reported. The five states with the smallest overall performance improvement were Kentucky, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas. As in previous years, the 2010 State Snapshots showed that no state does well or poorly on all quality measures, the agency stated.
Among minority and low-income Americans, the level of healthcare quality and access to services remained unfavorable. The size of disparities related to race and income varied widely across the states, according to the report.
The 2010 State Snapshots, an interactive web-based tool, features an individual performance summary of more than 100 measures, such as preventing pressure sores, screening for diabetes-related foot problems and providing recommended care to pneumonia patients. The tool compares each state to others in its region and across the U.S.
The 2010 State Snapshots summarized healthcare data by:
The 2010 State Snapshots are based on data from the 2010 National Healthcare Quality Report and National Healthcare Disparities Report, which are mandated by Congress and produced annually by AHRQ. Data are drawn from more than 30 sources, including government surveys, healthcare facilities and organizations.
Click here to see the 2010 State Snapshots.
New Hampshire, Minnesota, Maine, Massachusetts and Rhode Island showed the greatest overall healthcare quality performance improvement last year, the AHRQ reported. The five states with the smallest overall performance improvement were Kentucky, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas. As in previous years, the 2010 State Snapshots showed that no state does well or poorly on all quality measures, the agency stated.
Among minority and low-income Americans, the level of healthcare quality and access to services remained unfavorable. The size of disparities related to race and income varied widely across the states, according to the report.
The 2010 State Snapshots, an interactive web-based tool, features an individual performance summary of more than 100 measures, such as preventing pressure sores, screening for diabetes-related foot problems and providing recommended care to pneumonia patients. The tool compares each state to others in its region and across the U.S.
The 2010 State Snapshots summarized healthcare data by:
- Overall healthcare quality.
- Type of care (preventive, acute and chronic).
- Treatment setting—hospital, ambulatory care, nursing home and home health.
- Five clinical conditions—cancer, diabetes, heart disease, maternal and child health and respiratory diseases.
- Strongest and weakest quality measures, as compared with other states.
The 2010 State Snapshots are based on data from the 2010 National Healthcare Quality Report and National Healthcare Disparities Report, which are mandated by Congress and produced annually by AHRQ. Data are drawn from more than 30 sources, including government surveys, healthcare facilities and organizations.
Click here to see the 2010 State Snapshots.