Data Validity

We perform several checks to make our quality report as accurate as possible. For example, we use computer programs that help spot incorrect numbers, and we have one person collect the data and a second person check the data for accuracy.

An independent check of our data validity is provided by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) specifically for Core Measure results. This federal agency arranges for independent audits of a sample of the data which we report. (CMS explains the technical details under Hospitals Data Validation at www.qualitynet.org) For these audits, nurses not associated with Saint Thomas Health review individual data elements to see how often their answers are the same as ours.

In this section we display the results of the most recent audits. CMS considers a passing grade to be anything over 80%.