In a significant move towards enhancing healthcare transparency in Brazil, the National Supplementary Health Agency (ANS) has released quality indicators for private hospitals, marking the first time this information is publicly accessible. The data is part of the Hospital Quality Monitoring Program, which began in 2022 and allows the public to view hospital performance based on various quality indicators. This initiative is designed to encourage hospitals to improve their services by being accountable for the quality of care they provide.

Currently, there are 270 general hospitals participating in the program, all of which possess some form of quality certification or accreditation. For the year 2024, the monitoring platform provides insights into 216 eligible hospitals, of which 124 reported at least one quality indicator over the past year, while only 48 submitted all required parameters. The 14 indicators evaluated include rates of vaginal births, readmissions within 30 days of discharge, and occurrences of cardiac arrest within hospital units, among others. This detailed data can significantly influence patient choices and potentially push hospitals to raise their standards.

The ANS program reflects an increasing focus on healthcare quality in Brazil, as hospitals voluntarily participate in this monitoring initiative. With approximately 415 hospitals eligible for the certification, the goal is to create a culture of continuous improvement in healthcare services across the country. As awareness and access to such information grow, patients are likely to make more informed choices regarding their healthcare, which places additional pressure on hospitals to not only meet but exceed these quality standards to attract and retain patients.