Patients need better data on how hospitals compare

Editor's note

Australia’s health system is awash with data but it’s not well collated or used to make us safer when we have to go to hospital.

A Grattan Institute report released today, write Stephen Duckett and Christine Jorm, highlights reforms that would make a big difference – starting with better analysis and reporting of private hospital safety data.

Fron Jackson-Webb

Senior Health + Medicine Editor

Top story

Information on patients’ experiences with their hospital care is often not reported back to public hospitals at unit or ward level. Shutterstock/PongMoji

Infections, complications and safety breaches: why patients need better data on how hospitals compare

Stephen Duckett, Grattan Institute; Christine Jorm, University of Sydney

We have lots of data about hospital safety, but it's not used to make us safer or more comfortable when we're admitted.

Science + Technology

I've always wondered: do nuclear tests affect tectonic plates and cause earthquakes or volcanic eruptions?

Jane Cunneen, Curtin University

Human-induced earthquakes have been reported from every continent except Antarctica. We asked a geologist to investigate whether North Korea's nuclear tests could trigger geological changes.
The internal ocean of Saturn's moon Enceladus could be old enough to have evolved life, finds study

Monica Grady, The Open University

Scientists used to think that the ocean on Enceladus would be transient, perhaps freezing after a few million years. A new study suggests this isn't the case.
Stories of sex, stars and sharks amongst the best Australian science writing in 2017

Sarah Keenihan, The Conversation

Five The Conversation authors were selected to feature in a compilation of the best Australian science writing in 2017, and one has won the Bragg UNSW Press Prize.

Politics + Society
Australians born overseas prefer the online world for their news Usha M. Rodrigues, Deakin University New research shows that Australians from diverse backgrounds are turning away from traditional media and heading online, a trend that has great significance for media companies.

Business + Economy
Why Australia shouldn't fear a wave of trade protectionism David Treisman, Monash University; Giovanni Di Lieto, Monash University The Australian economy has changed significantly over the past 30 years to focus on services. They are unlikely to be drastically affected by repealing free trade agreements.

Health + Medicine
Curious Kids: Why do tears come out of our eyes when we cry? Michelle Moscova, UNSW Whether we're happy or sad, it doesn't take much to turn on the waterworks. But how and why do humans cry?

Environment + Energy
Can you make a 10-year malt whisky in weeks? The chemistry says yes Chris Thompson, Monash University; Boon Mian Teo, Monash University 'Fast liquor', aged in months rather than decades, is the holy grail for distillers who are trying techniques ranging from using special barrels to blasting their brew with ultrasound.

Arts + Culture
'Australia has no culture': changing the mindset of the cringe Alison Carroll, University of Melbourne Why do students still describe Australia as a 'young' country lacking culture? Are our universities doing enough to to teach Australian films, artwork and books?

Cities
How do we turn a drain into valued green space? First, ask the residents Leila Mahmoudi Farahani, RMIT University; Cecily Maller, RMIT University Residents often have concerns about informal green space but some still use it. Work to enhance these areas should aim to resolve these concerns without destroying what residents do value.