Hospital Standardized Mortality Ratio (HSMR)

The Hospital Standardized Mortality Ratio (HSMR) is a measure calculated and reported for health-care institutions in Canada by the Canadian Institute for Health Information (CIHI).

The HSMR compares the actual number of deaths in a hospital with the expected number of deaths, based on each hospital’s unique patient population. It is one of many indicators to measure quality of care that we use to identify areas for improvement and to implement solutions that enhance over-all patient care. 

An HSMR of 100 means that the actual number of deaths are equal to average expected deaths based on the hospital’s patient population. A number below 100 indicates that the hospital exceeded expectations – that the number of deaths were less than expected.

Hospital Standardized Mortality Ratio

Mount Sinai Hospital Results

What is Mount Sinai doing to reduce its HSMR?

• Establishment of the Office of Patient Experience and Outcomes
• Ongoing review of morbidity and mortality rates for data trends and improvement opportunities
• Patient Safety Leadership Walkarounds on patient units
• Rapid Response Teams to respond to code blue calls
• An online safety reporting system
• Independent double-checks related to medication safety and expansion of medication reconciliation
• Internationally recognized infection control best practices, including a comprehensive hand hygiene program
• Expansion of the Antimicrobial Stewardship Program