A standardized survey sent to a random sample of adult patients between 48 hours and six weeks after they leave the hospital. Every hospital asks identical questions in identical wording.
Why this matters to you
It is the only part of the data that comes from patients rather than claims. The published figure counts only patients who answered "always" — a deliberately high bar, so 70% is genuinely good rather than a failing grade. It measures communication and environment, not clinical outcomes, so read it alongside the mortality and safety measures rather than instead of them.
Official source
The authoritative definition and current rules are published here:
Read it at www.hcahpsonline.org
Rules and figures change. Where this page and the official source disagree, the official source is correct — and we would like to know, so please tell us.