Illinois' online Hospital Report Card and consumer guide has been updated with new information about surgical infections.
The public now can see how many patients at each hospital suffered infections following for two common types of surgery: heart bypass and knee replacement.
Illinois health officials hope the information will help hospitals monitor their infection control practices and make improvements where needed.
Other new information on the website includes the median charge, length of stay and number of patients for specific children's conditions and procedures.
The site also has added data about the types of health insurance coverage the hospital's patients have and the percentage of patients receiving charity care.
The report card -- found online at HealthCareReportCard.Illinois.gov -- launched in November of 2009.
Hospital Report Card Adds Surgical Infections
Report adds information on median charge, length of stay and number of patients for specific children's conditions and procedures
Copyright AP - Associated Press
