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Quality Assurance

Quality Assurance Guidelines

Quick links:
Quality Assurance Guidelines (QAG) V4.0 | Revisions to HCAHPS Quality Assurance Guidelines V4.0 | V.27 MS-DRG Codes | HCAHPS Bulletin

The HCAHPS Quality Assurance Guidelines Version 4.0 has been released. This manual has been revised from V3.0 and includes additional updates and enhancements that provide a comprehensive resource for hospitals and survey vendors participating in the HCAHPS initiative. Please use Version 4.0 going forward.

  • Quality Assurance Guidelines (QAG) V4.0
    • Please click here to view or download the QAG V4.0.
    • Please click here to view or download the HCAHPS Quality Assurance Guidelines Summary of Key Changes and Clarifications.


Revisions to HCAHPS Quality Assurance Guidelines V4.0

The following formatting errors occurred during the production of the HCAHPS Quality Assurance Guidelines V4.0:

Appendix A – HCAHPS Mail Materials (English); Alternative Survey Instrument (scannable instrument); Question 21 – This question shifted to cross two columns. HCAHPS protocol requires survey questions to remain together in the same column and on the same page.

Appendix C – HCAHPS Mail Materials (Chinese); Alternative Survey instrument (scannable instrument); Question 21 – This question shifted to cross two columns and two separate pages. HCAHPS protocol requires survey questions to remain together in the same column and on the same page.

Appendix F – Telephone Script (English); Questions 13 and 20 – the question response for "M – Missing" is incorrectly spaced. The "M-Missing" answer category should be listed below "8 – Not Applicable."

These formatting issues have been corrected in the HCAHPS Quality Assurance Guidelines V4.0 now posted on this web site. Additionally, the appendices posted under the Survey Instruments navigation button have also been updated.

Please be sure to make these corrections when using the Microsoft Word reproducible documents located on the CD, which was included on the back cover of the spiral bound copy of the HCAHPS Quality Assurance Guidelines V4.0.


V.27 MS-DRG Codes

CMS has adopted V.27 MS-DRG codes effective October 1, 2009. The codes have not changed from the previous V.26 MS-DRG codes. Therefore, use "1-V26 or V25 MS-DRG codes" for the value in the HCAHPS Header Record "determination of service line" field.

Please click here for the Table of V.27 MS-DRG Codes and HCAHPS Service Line Categories.


HCAHPS Bulletin

HCAHPS Bulletins will be issued when the HCAHPS Project Team believes that clarification or correction is called for in key matters pertaining to data collection or submission. HCAHPS Bulletins may also be issued to announce important changes in survey administration, data submission, etc.

  • Please click here to view of download a copy of the 2009-01 HCAHPS Bulletin Revised - The use of HCAHPS in conjunction with other hospital inpatient surveys.

  • Please click here to view or download a copy of the 2009-01 HCAHPS Bulletin – The use of HCAHPS in conjunction with other hospital inpatient surveys.

  • Please click here to view or download a copy of the October 2008 HCAHPS Bulletin – Lag Time.



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