Erasmus hosp. bucks death rate law
Erasmus MC in Rotterdam published its mortality rate after all, just not the way it was required. The hospital chose to publish alternative rates instead, in a way that would picture a more relevant view of the statistics. The hospital published a mortality rate of 2 percent, which is slightly higher than the national average of 1.9 percent, on a special site with additional information about the results of the Erasmus MC.
Erasmus explains that The Dutch Healthcare Authority demands the publication of a mortality rate, with the intention of it being indicative of the quality of care, and why it is not. The information doesn't clarify however how the hospital did reach its outcome. Most hospitals have published their mortality rates for several years already, but the Minister of Health, Edith Schippers, decided all hospitals had to publicize their mortality rate, starting March the 1st, or they would be sanctioned by the Dutch Healthcare Authority. "The quality of care has to be transparent to the patient. It is no longer acceptable that hospitals don't make their results public," said Schippers.
