Grace Cottage Hospital’s Hospital Report Card has been prepared in response to a law passed by the Vermont State Legislature in 2003. All 14 hospitals in Vermont are required to produce an annual report card to show community members how the hospital performs on a variety of quality, safety and financial measures. The report will also describe ways that community members can learn about and become more involved in hospital activities. The format for the report is mandated, and the process is being implemented by the Vermont Department of Banking, Insurance, Securities and Health Care Administration (BISHCA).

In 2001, the Institute of Medicine outlined six key goals for improving American health care. The Institute’s book, Crossing the Quality Chasm, states that health care should be:

• Effective
• Patient-centered
• Safe
• Timely
• Efficient
• Equitable

The hospital report card is organized around these goals.