Articles tagged with Health Care Costs
The University of Virginia Health System has developed a plan to improve the use of electronic health records, reduce clinician workload, and enhance patient care. The plan outlines three 'essential' steps for improving electronic health reforms, including implementing unique personal safety identifiers to streamline operations.
A new study published in JAMA estimates the total economic burden of racial and ethnic health inequities in the US to be over $450 billion in 2018. The study also details costs of racial and education-related health inequities for each state, highlighting disparities among different racial and ethnic groups.
A nationwide study of nearly 10,000 adults identifies 12 hallmarks of long COVID, including debilitating fatigue, loss of smell or taste, and gastrointestinal symptoms. The findings provide a new scoring system for clinicians to define and investigate treatments for patients with long COVID.
A recent study from Amsterdam UMC suggests that being overly restrictive in blood transfusion policies may not always be the best approach. Researchers found that patients with severe thrombocytopenia actually experience less bleeding if they receive a platelet transfusion prior to central venous catheter placement.
A systematic review of peer-reviewed literature links continuity of the doctor-patient relationship to reduced healthcare costs and increased appropriate care utilization. The study found that interpersonal continuity remains significantly associated with lower healthcare costs and more effective care usage across various studies.
A machine learning model trained on clinical text notes can effectively categorize patients into 10 risk groups, allowing for targeted care. The study found that patients in lower-risk groups had lower rates of lung inflammation and were less likely to receive antibiotics or chest X-ray referrals.
Primary care clinicians reported a range of experiences with telemedicine, from ease of adoption to challenges in conducting physical exams and diagnostic testing. The study also found that telemedicine had both positive and negative impacts on providers and patients, highlighting the need for clear regulations and adequate staffing pr...
Survivors of firearm injury experience chronic PTSD symptoms and poor health-related quality of life, emphasizing the need for comprehensive care. Screening for chronic kidney disease could be cost-effective for US adults starting at age 35.
A new study reveals that Surgical Site Infection (SSI) is a major financial burden on health services in LMICs, with patients experiencing higher costs for postoperative care. Investing in health technologies to reduce SSI could help improve healthcare quality and save lives.
Rodlescia Sneed aims to scale up the Chronic Disease Self-Management Program for older adults in state prisons, analyzing factors that influence effectiveness. She seeks to maximize program use in prisons and determine maximum effectiveness through user manual creation and future R01 grant testing.
The study found that racial and ethnic health disparities cost the U.S. economy $451 billion in 2018, with education-related health disparities reaching $978 billion. The economic burden of health inequities is significant, but could be reduced by addressing structural contributors like racism and socioeconomic inequalities.
Researchers developed a framework to estimate economic benefits of urban parks, finding improved mental health and air quality lead to significant cost savings. The Quaker Foods City Square park in Peterborough, Ontario, yielded estimated annual benefits of over $4 million, justifying financial investment.
The study found that medication for chronic conditions was relatively stable during the first 2 years of COVID-19, with no significant disparities by race or ethnicity. This stability holds lessons for outpatient services during future pandemics.
Online radiologists choose studies based on financial attractiveness, leading to delays in high-priority cases. This study found that expedited priority class contained the highest percentage of delayed studies.
Scientists have engineered plants to produce peptides with antibiotic activity against drug-resistant pathogens, which also enhances stability and prolongs activity. The resulting plants yield potent drugs at significantly lower costs than traditional methods, making them an environmentally friendly option for pharmaceutical production.
A new study finds that one-time genomic screening of adults aged 20-60 for hereditary breast and ovarian cancer syndrome, Lynch syndrome, and familial hypercholesterolemia is cost-effective based on quality-adjusted life-year measures. The study suggests that this approach could improve disease management and reduce healthcare costs.
A systematic review found that VA surgical care is as good as, or better than, non-VA care for many operations. VA's National Surgical Quality Improvement Program has helped track millions of surgical cases and improve outcomes, including reduced postoperative mortality and morbidity rates.
A new study found that air pollution from the oil and gas sector has substantial adverse impacts on air quality and human health, resulting in 7,500 excess deaths, 410,000 asthma attacks, and $77 billion in annual health costs. The pollutants nitrogen oxide, fine particulate matter, and ozone from U.S. oil and gas production were respo...
A Mayo Clinic study found that menopause symptoms significantly affect women's quality of life and productivity in the workplace. The study estimated an annual loss of $26.6 billion, including lost work time and medical expenses, highlighting a critical need for employers to address this issue.
A new study found that turning off MRIs overnight reduces their energy use by 25-33% and switching to 'power save' mode decreases energy use by 46-51%. This technique could save U.S. healthcare between $8 million and nearly $11 million annually.
Researchers have developed a fast, cheap, and easy method to test antibiotic resistance in bacteria, using optical nanomotion detection. The technique can determine sensitivity or resistance of bacterial cells to antibiotics in under two hours, with significant implications for clinical and research applications.
A study from Tufts University researchers estimates that menu calorie labels can prevent at least 28,000 obesity-associated cancer cases and 16,700 cancer deaths over a lifetime, saving $2.8 billion in healthcare costs. The policy is expected to have the greatest impact on young adults and Hispanic/Black individuals.
A new study published in PLOS Medicine found that the sugary drink tax in Oakland reduced purchases by 26.8%, leading to improved health and significant cost savings. The researchers estimated that consuming fewer SSBs added 94 quality-adjusted life-years per 10,000 residents and saved the city over $100,000 in healthcare costs.
A modelling study suggests that specifying menu calorie counts is likely to reduce obesity-related cancers and healthcare costs in the US. The policy could prevent 28,000 new cancer cases and 16,700 cancer deaths, as well as save $1.48 billion in medical costs.
A new study from Boston Medical Center found that offering medications for opioid addiction in jails leads to a significant decrease in overdose deaths. Treating opioid addiction during incarceration is also cost-effective and saves lives.
Researchers found that embracing early, less severe preventative measures can slow disease spread and lessen economic impact. Physics-based analysis revealed that small but steady countermeasures are more effective than strict measures in limiting health damage and economic loss.
A new study found that financial toxicity of cancer impacts partners' health-related quality of life, causing anxiety, depression, fatigue, and sleep disturbances. Younger partners were more likely to report financial burden and debt.
A new study found that the Medicaid 'cliff' - an abrupt end to supplemental insurance above federal poverty threshold - disproportionately affects Black and Hispanic older adults. This results in reduced healthcare use, including fewer doctor visits and prescribed medications, exacerbating existing health disparities.
A survey study of 9,400 adults found that those with post-COVID-19 condition were more likely to forgo needed healthcare due to cost and access challenges. The study suggests developing clinical protocols and addressing insurance-related barriers can improve healthcare access for these individuals
A study by Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center found that climate change-related natural disasters have increased since 1980 and cost the US over $2 trillion in recovery costs. The analysis suggests that rising CO2 levels and temperatures will lead to more frequent and severe disasters, with exponentially increasing costs.
A new international study has revealed significant potential for digital technology to improve asthma control for patients. The study found that combining information from a digital device in a digital platform led to improved medication adherence and reduced healthcare costs.
Researchers found a therapy for babies with early autism signs can reduce long-term disability and associated costs, saving $10,695 per child by age 13. Early intervention may also alleviate strain on health, education, and family systems.
Studies investigate multimorbidity, which is increasing due to improved survival from chronic diseases and population aging. The prevalence of multimorbidity varies greatly depending on the number and types of conditions considered, with some combinations spending more than the sum of individual diseases.
A study found that high deductible health plans may lead women to skip additional testing after an abnormal mammogram finding, particularly those with lower incomes and education levels. This can result in delays in diagnosis and treatment, worsening breast cancer outcomes.
Researchers found that using monoclonal antibodies within two days of a COVID-19 diagnosis reduced the risk of hospitalization or death by 39% compared to those who did not receive treatment. This finding suggests that early treatment with monoclonal antibodies significantly reduced the severity of COVID-19.
A study published in Journal of Hepatology found that some patients with chronic hepatitis B can achieve sustained immune control by discontinuing antiviral therapy after four years. This suggests a potential cure for the disease, which affects an estimated 350 million people worldwide.
Almost 40% of family practitioners work collaboratively with behavioral health professionals, highlighting gaps in access to integrated services in independently owned practices and Southern US locations.
A UK study found that virtual wards can safely manage most individuals with mpox, saving an estimated 2,100 hospital bed days. The virtual ward model was widely adopted in the UK to respond to the 2022 global outbreak of mpox.
The study found a significant association between the loss of abortion rights and increased mental distress in females of reproductive age. Restricting access to abortion may disproportionately affect lower socioeconomic status individuals, leading to greater economic and mental health burdens.
Research suggests Medicare reimbursements for complex cataract surgery are far lower than simpler procedures, resulting in a 'negative' margin. This disparity affects ophthalmologist practice patterns and patient accessibility, particularly for vulnerable populations.
A new study confirms that California's tobacco control program significantly reduces smoking rates and lowers health care expenses. Over three decades, the program resulted in a 10% reduction in smoking prevalence and saved Californians $51.4 billion they would have otherwise spent on cigarettes.
Patients with Alzheimer's disease and related dementias exhibit significantly higher readmission rates and overall episode costs compared to their non-dementia counterparts. Judicious preoperative assessment and care planning are strongly advised for this vulnerable patient population, particularly in the post-discharge period.
A new study published in Journal of Clinical Microbiology shows that using multiple PCR panels can identify more pathogens, notably diarrhea-causing E. coli and enteric viruses, and do so more rapidly than a conventional workup. This results in lower healthcare costs, reduced hospitalizations, and decreased antibiotic use.
Researchers examine how sugar reduction strategies affect new product sales, finding that smaller package sizes perform better than regular sizes. Sugar reductions work better if they do not overemphasize the reduced sugar content in new additions.
A global maternal Strep B vaccination program could avert over 200,000 cases and more than 31,000 deaths, as well as reduce disability in children. The study found that a one-dose vaccine program could cost $1.7 billion globally, while saving $385 million in healthcare costs.
Researchers found that autistic adolescents in states without Medicaid waivers had a higher risk of disenrollment, especially after age 22. In contrast, those living in waiver-enabled states remained more likely to stay enrolled.
The study estimates that tap water scald burns result in significant healthcare costs, with average costs of $572 per emergency department visit and $28,431 per hospital stay. Thermostatic mixing valves could reduce the risk of these burns by mixing hot water with cold water.
A new review found that spinal cord stimulation is no better than a placebo for treating low back pain, with probably little to no benefit for people with the condition. The review also highlighted gaps in clinical data and called for future trials to be longer and more comprehensive.
A recent study found that promoting physical activity and behavioral support can help smokers reduce their smoking in the short-term, but delivering lasting benefits is challenging. The research, which recruited over 900 smokers, discovered that engaging with motivational support had some initial benefits, but only a small percentage o...
Researchers at Chalmers University of Technology developed a method to predict fall accidents and cognitive illnesses like Alzheimer's disease using radar sensors that track walking patterns. The technology can help healthcare staff make more reliable risk assessments and tailor interventions for improved patient outcomes.
A study by Le Bonheur Hospital found that high-flow nasal cannula (HFNC) treatment for mild to moderate bronchiolitis is associated with longer hospital stays and higher costs. HFNC usage outside intensive care units resulted in increased resource utilization for pediatric bronchiolitis patients.
A new study published in the Journal of the American Heart Association found that participating in home-based cardiac rehabilitation was associated with a 36% lower likelihood of death from heart-related complications among US military veterans within four years. The study analyzed data from 1,120 veterans who enrolled in a 12-week hom...
Researchers analyzed 140,000 patient records and TV ads from Florida to investigate the effectiveness of DTCA for robotics surgery. The study found that patients exposed to robotic surgery advertising were more likely to choose it over conventional laparoscopic and open surgeries. Additionally, hospital marketers can use DTCA to sway p...
A recent study found that immunotherapy costs accounted for 84% of the net increase in Medicare spending on outpatient cancer care at the end of life. Payments for radiation oncology decreased by 2%, while palliative care spending rose, reflecting a shift towards hypofractionated radiation treatments.
The study estimates the global economic cost of cancers to fall around $25.2 trillion in international dollars by 2050, accounting for 0.55% of global GDP. Lung cancer is identified as the type with the highest economic burden, followed by colon and rectum cancer, breast cancer, liver cancer, and leukemia.
A culturally appropriate model of end-of-life care is being developed in Ghana to address the scarcity of palliative care in low-resource communities. COMPASS Ghana aims to provide universal end-of-life care by the end of the decade, utilizing a compassionate community approach that involves patients and caregivers in care provision.
The American Gastroenterological Association recommends integrating non-invasive biomarkers for patients with ulcerative colitis in remission or with current symptoms. Biomarkers provide accurate insights into disease activity, offering a cheaper and more convenient option for monitoring.
A new algorithm uses patient-reported outcomes to identify patients with cancer who are at increased odds of having unplanned emergency department visits. The algorithm, which calculates a symptom complexity score, has shown that patients with high complexity scores are three times more likely to use the ED.
Researchers estimate that up to 2% of adults in these regions have heart failure, with significant health risks and costs. The study analyzed digital health records from 11 countries and found that preventive treatment should focus on stopping further worsening of heart failure and kidney function.
A multinational study of over 600,000 heart failure patients found that the disease is relatively fatal, with an average annual death rate of 13%, and results in high healthcare costs. The study also identified new treatment opportunities for heart failure with preserved left ventricular function.