About HSMR

What does this mean?

HSMR (hospital standardized mortality ratio) is an assessment tool that compares a hospital’s mortality rate with the overall national rate. HSMR examines the actual number of deaths and compares it to the expected number of deaths. It provides a high-level summary measure that has been used internationally to assess mortality rates.

HSMR can be used with other measures to guide where quality improvements are needed in the hospital.

How do you know how many deaths are expected?

The HSMR is adjusted depending on several factors that may influence hospital mortality, including:

• Patient diagnosis (for example, cancer, heart attack)
• Age and sex
• Length of hospital stay
• Other conditions patients have before they are admitted (for example, diabetes)

How do we measure HSMR?

The HSMR is calculated as the ratio of actual deaths to expected deaths. A score of 100 indicates there is no difference between the hospital’s mortality rate and the average national rate.

• A ratio greater than 100 suggests the hospital’s mortality rate is higher than the average national rate
• A ratio lower than 100 suggests the hospital’s mortality rate is lower than the average national rate.

To view our HSMR rates, please click here >>