Help Using the Report

(If you reached this page by clicking a Help icon, simply use your back button to return to the Report Card. Your preferences will still be set if you use this method.)

Remember: whenever you see the define icon, click it to learn more about that item or word.

Step 1: Select a County

To begin using the Report Card, you will need to choose a county. You may change counties at any time once you have begun.

Step 2: Compare

The Report Card contains many measures grouped under categories. You'll begin at HMO Customer Satisfaction for the county you selected. You may view each group of measures in order by clicking 'Next' at the bottom of the page, or you may select any of the menu options on the left hand side of the Report. The categories are split into HMO and Hospital reports for New York and for New Jersey.

Step 3: Browse

You may click on any HMO or hospital name to view all data for that single organization. This option is great for printing.

Understanding the Report Card

Performance

Throughout the report green indicates that the entity in question performed significantly above average. Yellow denotes average performance, red indicates performance significantly below the state average.

Where data is available, an additional arrow indicates whether performance on this measure showed a statistically significant improvement or decline since the previous measurement.

Averages

The state-wide comparison is the average for New York or New Jersey, depending on which county you are currently viewing. Rates based on samples of less than 30 for HMOs, and 25 for hospitals (applies to New York hospitals only), while included in the averages shown, are reported as "Not Applicable" because they are not valid for comparison.

National Averages and Ranges

Many of the reports also show the national average and range. The national range represents the minimum and maximum rates reported. Rates based on small denominators, while included in the averages shown, are reported as "Not Applicable" because they are not valid for comparison.

Using the Results

In comparing HMOs and hospitals, it is important to consider all factors that make up an organization's performance and not just results of a particular measure.
Determinations about performance should not be made based on small percentage differences that may not be meaningful.
Performance on any measure will vary from year to year.
Each patient's condition is unique, and no hospital stay is the same.
Always consult a physician about any medical condition, use this report to learn about your options.
Feel free to talk about any of the information you see here with your health care provider.