Quality and Safety
In light of the recent Readmissions Reduction Program under the Affordable Care Act, numerous hospitals and medical industry experts are examining new approaches that will decrease the rate of hospital readmissions. "The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services estimates $15 billion is spent annually on readmissions for Medicare patients, with $12 billion of that amount being preventable," said Jeff Huber.
The Federal Trade Commission recently held a daylong workshop to examine the ways pet medications are distributed in the U.S. and how the current practices affect consumer choice and price competition. Pet meds are big business -- American consumers spend $7 billion on them annually -- and veterinarians and pharmacists are wrangling for their piece of the pie.
With medication shortages, patient safety and accurate dosing creating daily challenges, some providers have found financial benefits in pharmacy automation solutions.
Beaumont Health System based in Troy, Mich., recently made medication error prevention a strategic imperative for improving patient safety, quality and cost across its three hospitals. In just six months, the organization was able to save nearly $535,000 in equipment purchases through the use of medication barcoding.
A panel discussion taking place at MGMA-ACMPE's annual conference in San Antonio Monday morning focused on the state of healthcare with an eye toward the future.
Three out of 10 patients who receive a kidney transplant require readmission to the hospital within 30 days of discharge after the initial surgery, finds a new analysis of national data, but better outpatient monitoring may prevent such readmissions.
Containing healthcare costs and improving the quality of care are among the state's top priorities said Massachusetts Democratic Gov. Deval Patrick at the Massachusetts Medical Society's State of the State's Health Care 13th Annual Leadership Forum in Waltham, Mass. on Oct. 18.
Our complex healthcare system is often challenging for those who work in it. For those who don't -- patients -- a new brand of companies is rising up to help. Patient navigation companies may be patient-centric but they will impact the way the traditional healthcare system does business.
In a live webcast Tuesday, the National Association for Healthcare Quality (NAHQ) called on healthcare organizations to step up quality and error reporting.
Massachusetts makes its first real foray into managed care with a demonstration plan focused on dual eligibles from ages 21 to 64. The plan emphasizes patient relationships with independent living support coordinators and community-based organizations.