Hospital Characteristics
Given recent study findings about poorer outcomes
in safety-net hospitals,19,23 the analysis controlled
for hospital characteristics such as safety-net status
as well as patient acuity (Medicare case mix index)
and higher technology services provided. Medicare
case mix index for 2005 was in the UHC data and
the index for high-technology services was calculated
using 2005 American Hospital Association
data.24 Safety-net status was reported in the UHC
data set according to the Centers for Medicare and
Medicaid Services definitionVhospitals receiving
adjustment payments to provide care to a disproportionate
share of low-income patients