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Quality Assurance

Quality Assurance Guidelines

Quick links:
HCAHPS Quality Assurance Guidelines V6.0 (QAG V6.0) | HCAHPS Protocol Update | HCAHPS Quality Assurance Guidelines V6.0 Technical Corrections and Clarifications | HCAHPS Bulletin

The HCAHPS Quality Assurance Guidelines V6.0 has been released. This manual has been revised from V5.0 and includes additional updates and enhancements that provide a comprehensive resource for hospitals and survey vendors participating in the HCAHPS initiative. Please use V6.0 going forward.

  • HCAHPS Quality Assurance Guidelines V6.0 (QAG V6.0)
    • Please click here to view or download the QAG V6.0.
    • Please click here to view or download the HCAHPS Quality Assurance Guidelines V6.0 Summary of Updates and Emphasis. (Content related to Summary of Key Changes in Appendices K and M has been revised 3/22/2011)

HCAHPS Protocol Update

HCAHPS Protocol Updates will be issued when the HCAHPS Project Team believes that clarification or correction is called for in key matters pertaining to data collection or submission.

  • Please click here to view or download a copy of the New Exclusion Category – Patients Discharged to Nursing Homes and Skilled Nursing Facilities document which includes clarification regarding coding of the HCAHPS Final Survey Status/Disposition.


HCAHPS Quality Assurance Guidelines V6.0 Technical Corrections and Clarifications

The HCAHPS Project Team has posted a document containing information for technical corrections to the HCAHPS Quality Assurance Guidelines V6.0, which was published in February 2011. This document may be accessed by clicking here.


HCAHPS Bulletin

HCAHPS Bulletins will be issued when the HCAHPS Project Team believes that clarification or correction is called for in key matters pertaining to data collection or submission. HCAHPS Bulletins may also be issued to announce important changes in survey administration, data submission, etc.

  • Please click here to view or download a copy of the 2010-01 HCAHPS Bulletin - HCAHPS and Hospital Value Based Purchasing.
  • Please click here to view or download a copy of the 2009-01 HCAHPS Bulletin Revised - The use of HCAHPS in conjunction with other hospital inpatient surveys.

  • Please click here to view or download a copy of the 2009-01 HCAHPS Bulletin – The use of HCAHPS in conjunction with other hospital inpatient surveys.

  • Please click here to view or download a copy of the October 2008 HCAHPS Bulletin – Lag Time.



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