In reply: We thank Watson for her comments and agree that there is probably room for improvement. However, for most hospitals that fall within the funnel, rank is likely to reflect random variation. This contrasts with the common interpretation that rank reflects the quality of care.
The full article is accessible to AMA members and paid subscribers. Login to read more or purchase a subscription now.
Please note: institutional and Research4Life access to the MJA is now provided through Wiley Online Library.
- 1. Cheng AC, Woolnough E, Worth LJ, Pilcher DV. How should we interpret hospital infection statistics? Med J Aust 2013; 199: 735-736. <MJA full text>
- 2. Worth LJ, Thursky KA, Slavin MA. Public disclosure of health care-associated infections in Australia: quality improvement or parody [letter]? Med J Aust 2012; 197: 29. <MJA full text>
- 3. National Health Performance Authority. Hospital performance: healthcare-associated Staphylococcus aureus bloodstream infections in 2011–12, technical supplement. Sydney: NHPA, 2013. http://www.myhospitals.gov.au/publications/sab/latest/technical-supplement (accessed Feb 2014).
Online responses are no longer available. Please refer to our instructions for authors page for more information.
No relevant disclosures.