Articles tagged with Health Care Costs
The Institute for Clinical and Economic Review (ICER) has launched a new program to provide independent analysis on pricing linked to patient benefit for new FDA-approved drugs. The program will produce public reports near the time of FDA approval, providing a transparent basis for price negotiations and coverage decisions.
A doctor argues that long sleeved white coats spread infection and lead to avoidable harm and cost to patients. He advocates for banning doctors and medical students from wearing white coats to reduce hospital acquired infections in India.
The Low Risk Ankle Rule reduces unnecessary radiation exposure and healthcare costs for children with ankle injuries. Implementing the rule leads to a 22.9% decrease in x-ray orders and $36.93 less in healthcare costs.
A national initiative launched in 2007 to improve hip fracture care has led to substantial improvements in the use of early surgery and mortality rates among older people. The study, published in Medical Care journal, found a 7.6% annual relative reduction in 30-day mortality after the initiative's introduction.
Peter Fisher argues that homeopathy is misunderstood and that some reviews have omitted key evidence, while Edzard Ernst claims that most independent systematic reviews have failed to show homeopathy's effectiveness due to methodological flaws.
Researchers at UTHealth found that mental illness was the most common reason for hospitalizing children ages 10-14, while pregnancy/birth was a leading cause for adolescents. The costs were staggering, with $51 million spent on mental disease-related hospitalizations of teens aged 15-17.
A new study aims to increase the accessibility of mental health research in community clinics by developing practical measures for implementing evidence-based practices. The project will explore two methods for integrating measurement-based care into routine clinical work.
The study estimates the total cost of smoking in California at $18.1 billion for 2009, down from $7.6 billion and $15.8 billion in previous years. This decline is attributed to a decrease in adult smoking prevalence and a shift towards less intense smoking habits.
A study by Yale University researchers found significant variation in the cost of low-risk childbirth across hospitals in the US. The average estimated facility cost per maternity stay ranged from $1,189 to $11,986, with higher costs associated with hospitals that performed more cesarean deliveries or had more maternal complications.
Research conducted by King's College London found a 50% increase in females reaching age 100 between 1990 and 2013, with women four times more likely to reach this milestone than men. Centenarian men, on the other hand, tend to be healthier, experiencing fewer chronic illnesses and disabilities compared to their female counterparts.
A Cochrane Review found a lack of conclusive evidence on how to care for patients with dementia who suffer from hip fractures. The review highlights the need for better research into post-operative care strategies, particularly in hospital settings and the community.
A systematic review of 15 randomized controlled trials found that biologics significantly reduce accumulated missed workdays and improve work productivity among patients with rheumatic diseases. This suggests a potential economic benefit to treating these conditions.
Harvard researchers argue that mobile devices could revolutionize healthcare by linking app data to electronic health records. This integration could reduce costs and advance precision medicine, but current electronic health record systems lack standardized interfaces for accessing genomic data.
A new program at Johns Hopkins Hospital implemented consistent use of experienced medical teams, preemptive antibiotics, and early patient mobilization to reduce complications and accelerate recovery in colorectal surgery. The approach resulted in a significant reduction in hospital stays, surgical infections, blood clots, and costs.
A recent study by Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health reveals that 50 US hospitals are charging out-of-network patients and the uninsured up to 1,000% more than their actual costs. This price gouging is leading to financial burdens on vulnerable populations and driving up overall health spending.
The Person-Event Data Environment (PDE) database captures financial, health, medical and other data for every soldier from entry to separation. The database includes information on soldiers' military experience, contractors and dependents, representing a heterogeneous population with various socioeconomic backgrounds.
A new NYU study finds that healthcare workers' wages are only slightly higher than those in other sectors, and professional staff like doctors and nurses earn more due to their education and experience. To contain healthcare costs, the study suggests improving productivity through using fewer or less-skilled employees to produce services
A new study found that millions of seniors with Medicare Advantage plans face large out-of-pocket costs for hospital and skilled nursing care, including those with low incomes. The study highlights the need for policymakers to protect Medicare Advantage consumers from high copays, particularly for unpredictable catastrophic illnesses.
A new study published in Journal of Clinical Oncology finds that early palliative care consultation within six days of hospitalization reduces hospital costs by $1,312 compared to traditional care. Early provision also leads to a 14% reduction in hospital stay cost.
A study published in the June issue of Health Affairs found that PEPFAR funding was associated with a 13% increase in male employment in ten sub-Saharan African countries. The authors suggest that these findings could inform future aid allocation decisions, potentially generating significant economic benefits.
Research suggests that implementing a full seven day service in the NHS would cost up to £831m, exceeding initial estimates. The study found that removing weekend risks would eliminate some deaths, but not all, and may move problems to other days of the week.
A new study predicts that British military amputees will require medical care and rehabilitation for more than 25 years, with estimated costs of up to £288 million over 40 years. The study suggests that long-term financial commitment is necessary to provide sustained support and resources.
ER revisit rates exceed expectations, with one in five patients returning within 30 days and one in 12 after three days. Total cost of revisits is higher than initial visits, highlighting the need to understand what leads to these repeated visits.
A psychiatrist advocates for the reclassification of psychedelic drugs as Schedule 2 compounds, citing their potential benefits in treating various psychiatric disorders. He notes that these substances were extensively used and researched before prohibition in 1967, but are now subject to strict regulations that hinder further research.
Researchers at UC Davis found that pediatric telemedicine consultations with rural emergency departments save an average of $4,662 compared to telephone consults. The study also revealed significant savings from reduced transfers between hospitals and lower costs for urban hospitals.
The cost of treating babies with neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS) has increased dramatically, with costs rising from $1.1 million in the first year to $1.8 million in the third year, a 15-16 fold increase compared to healthy infants. Proactive screening and treatment are recommended to address this growing public health concern.
Research finds that family physicians with a broader scope of practice have patients with 10-15% lower costs and fewer hospitalizations. The study suggests comprehensiveness in family medicine is both measurable and important for bending the cost curve and achieving the nation's Triple Aim.
A new study finds that combining an evidence-based enhanced recovery program with infection prevention significantly reduces hospital stay time and costs for patients undergoing colorectal operations. The program also decreases surgical site infections and sepsis rates.
A new study found that expanded hospice care improved indicators of care quality, including reduced reliance on intensive care and feeding tubes. However, it also led to increased costs to Medicare of $6,761 per patient on average due to longer stays and increased provider numbers.
A first-year undergraduate at the University of Chicago discovered a significant decrease in coronary revascularization interventions following the implementation of AUC, resulting in potential cost savings of over $2.3 billion nationwide. The study suggests that informed decision-making among physicians can lead to decreased costs whi...
A study found that obese patients undergoing common cosmetic plastic surgery procedures had higher rates of complications, hospital visits, and emergency department visits. The findings link obesity to increased healthcare costs, with average cost differences ranging from $3,900 to $7,400.
A new study by King's College London found that up to 7% of households in 41 countries faced catastrophic dental health expenditure, often due to inability to pay. Wealthier households and those with better healthcare systems were less likely to struggle with costs.
The study found that reducing alcohol-fuelled car crashes in the US increased national income by $6.5 billion and created 215,000 jobs in 2010. The economic gains resulted from a substantial fall in road traffic collision since 1984-6.
A new Commission estimates that 5 billion people worldwide cannot afford proper surgical care, leading to millions of deaths from treatable conditions. Investing $420 billion in surgery by 2030 could scale up access to life-saving procedures, according to the report.
A recent UTMB study found that oxygen therapy is being prescribed more frequently among COPD patients, especially women over 75 with multiple health conditions. The study's results show an increase in oxygen use from 2001 to 2010, likely due to improved survival rates and decreased stigma around the treatment.
A bundled intervention at Johns Hopkins Medicine significantly reduced central line-associated bloodstream infections (CLABSIs) in seven Abu Dhabi hospitals. The program, which included evidence-based infection prevention practices and teamwork improvements, achieved a 30-40% reduction in CLABSI rates across all ICUs.
Research suggests heroin assisted treatment can improve outcomes, reduce harm, and lower societal costs for a subgroup of patients who do not benefit from conventional treatments. This approach could provide savings that could be redirected to addiction prevention programs.
Family physicians play a crucial role in advising young women about egg freezing, providing accurate information on its benefits and risks. The procedure can help preserve fertility, but costs are high, and evidence on success rates is limited.
Countries with higher cancer spending have consistently lower cancer mortality rates, with a 17% decrease in amenable mortality. Increased spending on breast cancer treatment also leads to improved survival rates without significant cost increases, but more research is needed to contain costs.
A study published in BMC Health Services Research found that early physical therapy following an initial episode of acute low back pain resulted in lower healthcare costs and reduced use of resources. Patients who received physical therapy within 14 days had significantly lower costs for advanced imaging, injections, surgery, and opioids.
Researchers found a significant excess of obstetrics beds in NYC hospitals, resulting in wasted resources and estimated annual costs of $26.4 million. Reducing cesarean section rates by even a small percentage could lead to large savings and improved patient access to care.
A new study estimates that using a diagnostic test for candidemia can reduce hospital costs by up to $5,858,448 per year. The T2Candida Panel provides species-specific Candida detection and identification directly from whole blood in 3-5 hours.
Osteoporosis-related fractures in China are expected to double by 2035, with costs rising to approximately US$25.58 billion by 2050. The study also found that women account for 73% of total costs, sustaining three times more fractures than men.
A national survey of US healthcare providers found that fewer than half were 'very likely' to prescribe PrEP to high-risk patients. Concerns included daily pill regimen, regular follow-up care, effectiveness, and side effects. Despite strong evidence supporting PrEP use, cost remains a significant issue.
A Yale University study found that higher breast cancer treatment costs are associated with better survival rates. Over a decade, Medicare costs increased from $18,100 to $32,600, while five-year survival improved from 38.5% to 51.9%. The cost increase was largely due to chemotherapy and radiation therapy.
LUT researchers highlight the importance of understanding users' daily life needs when planning new healthcare service models. The study found that people's attitudes change slowly, but continuous changes in the operating environment can lead to exclusion from services.
A new study reveals UK hospital costs for hip fractures to be approximately £1.1 billion annually, highlighting the need for preventive measures. Fracture liaison services have been shown to reduce secondary fractures and improve quality of life.
A new study from NYU Langone Health has identified the most common causes of hospital readmissions following total hip and knee arthoplasty procedures. The study found that surgical complications accounted for 54% of readmissions, with an average cost of $36,038 for total hip replacements and $61,049 for total knee replacements.
A Swedish study shows that implementing Fracture Liaison Services can prevent a significant number of fractures, saving lives and reducing healthcare costs. The model predicts a reduction in fractures by 50% among patients identified with bone mineral testing, resulting in 19 quality-adjusted life years saved.
The study found that increased use of minimally invasive surgery for common procedures can reduce post-operative complications and save $280-$340 million a year in healthcare costs. By adopting more minimally invasive procedures, hospitals can prevent thousands of complications and reduce hospital stays.
A Mayo Clinic study found that frequent attendance at work site wellness centers led to significant weight loss and healthcare cost savings. Members who visited the Dan Abraham Healthy Living Center (DAHLC) more than 360 times were 72% more likely to experience weight loss, with corresponding reductions in healthcare costs.
Existing health information exchange studies show little to no correlation between their use and improved patient care outcomes. Researchers found that high-quality evidence linking HIE adoption to clear benefits is scarce, with most studies having methodological limitations.
A new study finds that routine bisphosphonate treatment can significantly reduce the risk of additional fractures in women over 65 who sustain a distal radius fracture, but at an estimated lifetime cost of $19.5 billion.
States expanding Medicaid under ACA see 23% increase in newly diagnosed diabetes patients compared to non-expansion states. Early detection can prevent complications and improve quality of life for those with diabetes.
A study by RAND Corporation and American Medical Association found that physician practices need help adapting to new payment models, which can improve quality and reduce costs. The report suggests that operational details of alternative payment models can either support or hinder practices' efforts to improve their processes.
A study by MIT economist Ernst Berndt and colleagues found that the prices of leading cancer drugs increased by 10% annually from 1995 to 2013, even after adjusting for inflation and incremental health benefits. The researchers suggest that rising prices reflect a greater social tolerance for significant healthcare costs.
A new study reveals the significant economic impact of diabetes globally, with high healthcare costs and lost wages in various countries. The review highlights the burden on individuals, families, and societies, especially in low- and middle-income nations where people with diabetes face limited access to affordable care.
A new study published in Canadian Medical Association Journal suggests that implementing a universal public drug plan could reduce Canada's spending on prescription drugs by $7.3 billion per year, while employers and unions could save an additional $8.2 billion. This cost savings is attributed to economies of scale in price negotiation...
A study comparing CT angiography and functional stress tests found similar clinical outcomes and minimal cost differences over three years. The tests had the same rate of death, heart attacks, and hospitalizations, despite initial cost savings from CT angiography.
The Desyre architecture has been shown to reduce hospital costs and replacement rates of medical devices by using 28% less energy and 48% less chip area. This is achieved while offering a nine times lower hardware failure rate, making it an extremely reliable design for critical applications.