Discharge Instructions Given

Percent of Heart Failure Patients Given Discharge Instructions
July 2008 - June 2009

What the graph is saying

For this measure, higher percentages are better. The graph above shows that HealthEast, St. Joseph's and St. John's are above the Minnesota average. Woodwinds is below the Minnesota average.

You can compare all hospitals' performance at the United States Department of Health & Human Services Hospital Compare web site. Its data will be slightly older than the data reflected on the HealthEast web site.

Why is this measure important?

Heart failure is a chronic condition. It results in symptoms such as shortness of breath, dizziness, and fatigue. Before you leave the hospital, the staff at the hospital should provide you with information to help you manage the symptoms after you get home. The information should include your:

Activity level (what you can and can’t do)
Diet (what you should, and shouldn’t eat or drink)
Medications
Follow-up appointment
Watching your daily weight
What to do if your symptoms get worse

Description above from the United States Department of Health & Human Services Hospital Compare web site: www.hospitalcompare.hhs.gov

* The "Top U.S. Hospitals" represent the top 10% of all hospitals reporting information to Hospital Compare.

Go to the next heart failure measure.