The Leapfrog Group, a watchdog group on health care delivery, reports that most U.S. hospitals fail to meet efficiency metrics that ensure the highest quality of care for patients.

In the report, Leapfrog Hospital Survey Results (2008), experts found only 26% and 34% of hospitals are fully complying with quality-care measures for treating heart attacks and pneumonia, respectively. Among surveyed hospitals, only 24% achieved high-quality standards for heart bypass surgery, 21% for heart angioplasty, 14% for heart attack care, and 14% for pneumonia care.

In addition, the data shows that 65% of hospitals failed to institute comprehensive polices to prevent common hospital-acquired infections. For 75% of the hospitals, standards were lacking for 13 evidence-based safety practices, such as hand washing and competency of the nursing staff.

“As the Obama administration and Congress consider health care reform options, it is clear we have a long way to go to achieve hospital quality and cost-effectiveness worthy of the nation’s $2.3 trillion annual investment,” says Leah Binder, CEO of Leapfrog. “According to our data, a majority of hospitals have significant safety and efficiency deficits,” she adds.

The survey results are based on 2008 data from 1,276 hospitals in 37 major U.S. metropolitan areas, representing 48% of the urban and general acute-care hospitals.

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