How does CHRP measure hospital performance?

An indicator is a single measure that represents a key dimension of health status, the health care system or related factors. Indicators can be used to identify potential opportunities for quality improvement and provide a basis for comparison between hospitals or between provincial, regional and national averages.

CHRP indicators can represent either clinical aspects of the health care system (such as patient safety) or financial aspects of the health care system (such as administrative expenses). These results do not provide a final conclusion about hospital performance but can be used as the first step in an improvement process to identify areas for follow-up and potential improvements. In addition, no single indicator should be used to judge a hospital; it is important to consider all aspects of performance.

CHRP indicators can be used to

• Identify opportunities to improve care;
• Compare hospital performance, as well provincial, regional and national averages; and
• Evaluate practices, policies and procedures.

CHRP indicators cannot

• Provide answers—they only raise questions;
• Explain disparities, variations or change; and
• Be interpreted in the absence of context and without further analysis.