Dr Foster Intelligence offers update on SHMI and Hospital Guide

Dr Foster Intelligence has provided an update on its progress in developing a new Summary Hospital-Level Mortality Indicator (SHMI) and 2011 Hospital Guide for use by the NHS.

The SHMI is being produced by the healthcare information provider alongside the NHS Information Centre and Imperial College, with a draft methodology having been published on July 29th 2011.

A consultation is being conducted on this draft until August 15th, with the final plans to be produced before the end of the month.

Meanwhile, the organisation also stated that it will not be publishing proposed new obstetric and cancer indicators for the 2011 Hospital Guide until its clients have had an opportunity to help discuss and define them.

It has taken this decision based on feedback from an earlier consultation, suggesting that NHS trusts are seeking more opportunity to use and evaluate these indicators before comparative performance is published.

Last month, Dr Foster Intelligence announced a new partnership with GE Healthcare Performance Solutions that will aim to drive improved standards among NHS hospitals.