These HCAHPS scores were derived by first assigning each possible survey response a numerical value. The following are the values assigned to the possible responses:

Patients who gave a rating of 6 or lower (low) = 6 points
Patients who gave a rating of 7 or 8 (medium) = 8 points
Patients who gave a rating of 9 or 10 (high) = 10 points
Always = 10 points
Usually = 5 points
Sometimes or Never = 0 points
Yes (Yes Definitely) = 10 points
Yes (Yes Probably) = 5 points
No = 0 points

The percentage of responses (given in the HCAHPS data) for each possible answer is then multiplied by the point value/multiple per answer. The answer scores are then summed per question. That summed value is then multiplied by 10 to put the score on a common 100 point (100%) scale.

Here’s an example:
Survey Question: How often did staff explain about medicines before giving them to patients?

Responses, Point Value Multiple * Answer Percentage:
Staff always explained, 10* 57% = 5.7
Staff usually explained, 5*22% = 1.1
Staff sometimes or never explained, 0 * 22% = 0
Sum = 5.7 + 1.1 + 0.0 = 6.8

Multiply that question sum by 10 to get to the 100 point (percentage) scale: 6.8*10 = 68.0

Each question is then summed and an average is given per state.

You’ll notice that a lot of the answers to questions have ranges (e.g. 0-6), but I give the state the benefit of receiving a 6. I mention this because the average response for that question is probably not the full 6 points, so these state averages might even be a little lower than reported.

I did a little more research and found that Sarasota Memorial’s average is 79.07. That average is above the Florida average (75.40) but below the national average (80.23).

thanks…shawn
twitter: @smhcs