Many hospital deaths cannot be prevented because the patients' conditions are such that the best medical treatment available can only provide comfort before death. However, some deaths that occur in hospitals are preventable. It is important to understand some of the hospital practices that help prevent unexpected deaths.

The good news is that Americans are living longer. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the life expectancy for a person born in 2006 is 78 years. And it is even higher for New Yorkers -- 79 years.

HHC's hospital mortality rates continue to remain below national benchmarks, even as our average patient's severity of illness has steadily increased over the last five years.

While the factors affecting mortality rates are numerous and complicated, our comparatively low mortality rates are partly the result of aggressive patient safety initiatives, including the implementation of rapid response teams to bring critical care resources to patients who show signs of imminent cardiac arrest; more effective infection control measures; and the use of an electronic medication administration system that helps reduce drug errors.

Mortality Rates

Hospital-Specific Data

Percentage based on annual number of deaths divided by total number of annual hospital discharges.
*  Includes VA and other government hospitals.
† Most recent data available.