We obtain data from:

• Medical records
• Medical bills
• Patient satisfaction surveys
• Hospital records
• Hospital self-assessments, which are based on third-party criteria

We collect data to update our measures regularly. Our data are subject to audit, review or comparison by numerous objective, third-party agencies. Some data sources include:

• AHRQ: Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
• Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
• CDC-NHSN: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention-National Healthcare Safety Network
• HCAHPS: Survey sponsored by CMS, the Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems
• HRCA: Illinois Hospital Report Card Act, implemented by IDPH (see below)
• IDPH: Illinois Department of Public Health
• Leapfrog Group
• NDNQI: National Database of Nursing Quality Indicators
• NSQIP: National Surgical Quality Improvement Program
• Press Ganey Associates, Inc.
• SRTR: Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients
• The Joint Commission, a hospital accreditation agency
• Vermont Oxford Network
• Vizient