Death rates rise at Oregon hospitals, data show

Death rates climbed significantly higher than expected at 12 Oregon hospitals, according to recently released state data. For example, among patients undergoing cardiac catheterization, death rates were higher than average at OHSU Hospital, Willamette Valley Medical Center in McMinnville and Merle West Medical Center in Klamath Falls. For the past three years, the Office for Oregon Health Policy and Research has posted hospital death rates for selected procedures in which there is some evidence that higher death rates may result from poorer care quality. The state's hospital quality indicators Web site also highlights hospitals' experience with procedures, such as open-heart surgery, in which more practiced centers tend to show better outcomes.