Quality and Safety
Researchers put the onus on hospitals, manufacturers and regulators to do a better job of reducing contamination and called for an end to manual cleaning processes.
The deal marks Harvard Pilgrim's third such contract aligning medication payments to real-world performance with patients.
Renamed Truven Health Analytics research initiative found that the highest performers achieved better care consistency and alignment across facilities.
Hospital is advising patients to monitor their explanation of benefits statements to keep an eye suspicious-looking activity.
The insurer is partnering with five medical groups to rollout the reimbursement option with the goal of improving patient experience by reducing complications, duplications and readmissions.
The average expense of repeated medical care because of duplicate records costs a reported average $1,950 per patient for each inpatient stay.
Doctors have balked at the increasing burden of implementing metrics, which cost roughly $15.4 billion annually to meet.
With transfers to larger hospitals comes a high cost burden, making it important for community-based organizations to strike the appropriate balance.
While the findings of two new research studies are unrelated, each is noteworthy in the opportunity presented to help bend the healthcare cost curve.
Mergers and acquisitions can result in economy of scale and other financial benefits -- but it can also be easy for patient access and services issues to go unaddressed.