What does Better, As Expected and Worse mean in the mortality (deaths) reports?
The expected mortality rate for an illness or procedure is calculated based on each hospital’s case mix (risk adjusted by diagnosis-related group, age, gender and comorbidity) compared to the national average for that same case mix. Their actual mortality rate is then compared to this calculated expected rate of mortality. If the ratio of a hospital’s actual mortality rate compared with their expected mortality rate falls within an as expected range, the hospital is ranked “As Expected.” If the ratio of a hospital’s actual mortality rate compared with their expected mortality rate is lower than the expected range, the hospital is ranked “Better”. If the ratio of a hospital’s actual mortality rate compared with their expected mortality rate is higher than the expected range, the hospital is ranked “Worse”.
