Mid-Atlantic Health Law TOPICS

1. In July, the Maryland Health Care Commission (HCC) released data from a recent survey that grades patient care received at all Maryland hospitals. This new data was collected from about 41,000 hospital patients discharged in 2009, and is available at "Find a Patient Experience Measure" at https://www.marylandqmdc.org/. In the survey, patients rated the hospitals on the ease of communication with nurses and doctors, responsiveness of hospital staff, cleanliness of the hospital, pain management, communication about medications, discharge information, overall hospital experience and whether the patient would recommend the hospital. Also included on the site are patient ratings of the care they received for clinical services, including maternity, medical and surgical services. Overall, 64% of the patients indicated that they would definitely recommend the Maryland hospital where they received care.

2. In July, the Maryland Community Health Resources Commission announced 14 grants for the year beginning July 1, 2010. The awards, designed to expand access to health care services to underserved areas of the State include awards to increase access to dental care, behavioral health/drug treatment and primary health care services, as well as awards to reduce infant mortality. The Commission has made $20.5 million in grants over the last four years, resulting in health care services being provided to more than 55,000 low-income Marylanders, and more than 200,000 patient visits.