A recent report by the Pennsylvania Health Care Cost Containment Council (PHC4) has revealed a troubling increase in patient mortality rates across various medical conditions in the state’s hospitals over the past five years. Released on October 12, 2023, the annual Hospital Performance Report highlights a significant rise in deaths associated with sepsis, a serious medical emergency that arises when the body’s response to an infection leads to widespread inflammation and organ damage.
The analysis indicates that the mortality rate for sepsis increased from 8.7% in 2019 to 9.6% in 2024. This marked uptick raises concerns about hospital care quality and patient outcomes in Pennsylvania. The report examined the performance of 17 medical conditions across hospitals, noting that only acute kidney failure experienced a statistically significant decline in mortality rates during the same period. Specifically, deaths from acute kidney failure decreased from 2.4% to 2.2%.
Wider Trends in Hospital Mortality and Readmissions
Statewide, the report found that in-hospital mortality rates rose significantly for six of the 16 conditions studied. This increase in mortality is coupled with a rise in 30-day readmission rates, which also showed a statistically significant increase across six of the 17 conditions analyzed. The most notable among these was lung blood clots, with readmission rates climbing from 11.8% in 2019 to 13.7% in 2024.
PHC4’s report not only outlines mortality and readmission statistics but also assesses average hospital charges and the total number of cases treated in hospitals throughout Pennsylvania. Barry D. Buckingham, the executive director of PHC4, emphasized the importance of this report in promoting transparency and facilitating informed decision-making for patients and healthcare providers. He remarked that the Hospital Performance Report serves as a “trusted, consistent source of fact-based data.”
For the first time, the report features an online interactive geographic display that allows users to visualize hospital performance based on facility locations. Buckingham highlighted the added value of these resources, stating, “The value of the reporting is enhanced by these additional resources, and we aim to continue to develop new and different opportunities to support Pennsylvanians.”
Established as an independent body under Pennsylvania law, PHC4 was created to tackle the rapidly escalating healthcare costs in the state. As patient outcomes continue to be scrutinized, this report serves as a crucial tool for understanding the evolving landscape of hospital care in Pennsylvania.
