Mike Martin writes: Utah has updated four of its hospital comparison reports including Hip and Knee Surgeries and Conditions, Maternity and Newborns, Pneumonia Hospitalizations and Heart Surgeries and Conditions.

The reports compare Utah hospitals in treatment areas based on charges, quality and patient safety. Readers can make comparisons of hospital performance factors like in-hospital deaths, average charges, length-of-stay and how frequently each hospital performs the procedures.

Since December 2005, the Utah Health Data Committee has published a total of twelve hospital comparison reports tailored for consumers in Utah. All reports can be accessed at http://health.utah.gov/myhealthcare.