Articles tagged with Health Care Costs
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A Mayo Clinic study finds that implementing a uniform method to care for lower-risk cardiac surgical patients reduces hospital time by 15% and lowers overall costs by 15%. The new model sets clear expectations for hospital care, improves patient experiences, and reduces variability in costs and outcomes.
A comprehensive study reveals that rising treatment costs account for 70% of growth in health care spending, with modest increases in disease cases having a minimal impact. The research emphasizes the need to focus on slowing down spending on procedures and treatments.
The report ranks states based on 42 health care measures, showing that only a few states improved on most indicators, while many lost ground. Despite improvements in some areas, the overall pace of change was slow, with wide gaps persisting among states.
A study of over 93,000 patients found that complications from kidney stone treatments require hospitalization or emergency care for one in seven patients. The procedures were shock wave lithotripsy, ureteroscopy, or percutaneous nephrolithotomy, with costs ranging from $32,000 to $47,000.
Pediarix is the most cost-effective combination vaccine, but Pentacel's sales are higher due to overlooked factors. Health care providers often overlook extra immunizations required for certain vaccines.
The American College of Physicians has launched a High Value Care Coordination Toolkit to improve communication between primary care doctors and gastroenterologists. The toolkit includes data sets and guidelines for referrals, aiming to reduce unnecessary tests and delays in care.
The Affordable Care Act's expansion could lead to modest cost reductions in automobile and workers' compensation insurance, while medical malpractice coverage might increase. The study's findings highlight the need for businesses and policymakers to understand how their risk profiles may change under the ACA.
The Brain Health Registry aims to create a ready pool of research subjects for studies on neurological diseases, reducing costs and increasing efficiency. Volunteers will provide personal history and take online neuropsychological tests, helping scientists analyze brain functions over time.
A study evaluated the role of evidence in selecting medical services for 'Top 5' lists, revealing that cost was a primary factor in justifying inclusion. The study found that specialty societies often relied on higher costs to justify services with similar benefits but more expensive options.
An analysis of childhood obesity estimates lifetime medical costs at $19,000 per child and $12,900 when considering adult weight gain, totaling $14 billion for obese US children aged 10.
A healthy diet may improve health outcomes in older adults, reducing hospital stays, but increases spending on outpatient services and preventive care. The study highlights the need for nutrition policies that address socioeconomic disparities.
A Rutgers report reveals young adults in low-income communities increasingly seek emergency department dental care, causing access and cost concerns. The study suggests expanding dentist office hours, implementing emergency department diversion programs, and increasing awareness among vulnerable populations to address these issues.
A study at a large academic community hospital system found that an increasing workload for hospitalists was associated with increased length of stay and costs, despite not affecting mortality or patient satisfaction. The results suggest that incentives aimed at increasing workload may lead to inefficient and costly care.
Research clarifies that ammonia emissions from agricultural exports have a substantial impact on air quality, with the study estimating an annual health cost of $36 billion. The findings suggest that reducing ammonia emissions could lead to significant societal benefits, particularly in the Northeast and Great Lakes region.
A RAND Corporation study found that better continuity of care for patients with diabetes, congestive heart failure, or emphysema leads to significant reductions in hospital emergency department visits and hospitalizations. This improvement can result in substantial cost savings for Medicare, up to $1.5 billion per year.
A new study found that 12% of doctor visits for headaches result in unnecessary brain scans, costing around $1 billion annually. The researchers suggest better public education and insurance plan designs could reduce unnecessary use and spending on scans.
Researchers identified distinct brain activity profiles when making cost-benefit decisions about drinking alcohol. The study used fMRI to examine how the brain weighs pros and cons of drinking, revealing a neural signature associated with ambivalence between cost and benefits.
A new blood test detects specific genes activated in individuals with obstructive coronary artery disease (CAD), excluding diagnosis without imaging studies. This approach reduces healthcare costs and may improve patient outcomes by minimizing invasive tests.
Patients who received assistance from poison centers had shorter hospital stays and lower hospital charges. The study found a cumulative decrease of $2,078 in hospital charges per 10 patients.
A new RAND Corporation report assesses value-based purchasing programs and finds mixed results on improving quality and reducing costs. Newer payment models like ACOs and bundled payments face challenges in designing strong financial incentives for change.
A new study suggests that self-administration of the flu vaccine via a microneedle patch could be feasible and increase vaccination rates. The study found that nearly all participants were able to accurately apply the patches, with significant increases in willingness to receive the vaccine.
A three-year pilot of medical homes showed few improvements in care quality and no reductions in hospital visits or costs. Despite adopting new capabilities, most practices did not see significant reductions in healthcare utilization or total costs.
A large-scale trial found that a patient-centered medical home program had limited impact on quality of care, but did not reduce hospital or emergency department use. The study measured outcomes in 32 participating primary care practices and compared them to 29 control practices.
The study found that traveling to donor hospitals for organ procurement reduced travel time from eight hours to two hours and saved 37% on organ recovery costs. The use of free-standing organ recovery centers significantly improved the efficiency of deceased donor organ transplantation.
A new study led by Michigan Medicine researcher Sara Pasquali found that the cost of care for children with congenital heart disease undergoing surgical repair varies as much as nine times across US hospitals. Hospitals with higher case volumes have lower costs, but also higher rates of post-operative complications and longer hospital ...
A special issue of Medical Care presents updates from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality's Multiple Chronic Conditions Research Network. The research highlights the importance of behavioral health issues in MCC care and identifies priorities for future research, including improved treatment guidelines and methods.
Researchers at the University of Illinois discovered a method to increase broccoli's anti-cancer properties while prolonging its shelf life. The combined application of methyl jasmonate and 1-methylcyclopropene increased the presence of cancer-fighting agents in broccoli, while reducing ethylene levels that cause decay.
A new study reveals that Greece's health system is deteriorating due to severe austerity measures, leading to a rise in infectious diseases and mental health issues. The country has experienced significant cuts to its healthcare budget, resulting in reduced access to medical care for many patients.
Cancer doctors can cut costs without risk to patients by improving end-of-life care, reducing unnecessary medical imaging, and negotiating lower prices for new cancer drugs. These changes can save billions of dollars in healthcare spending while maintaining quality of life.
A new study shows that cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBTI) can significantly reduce health care utilization and costs, with improvements seen in 86% of patients after just three sessions. The treatment resulted in an average cost savings of over $200 per patient in the six months following treatment.
Research highlights the challenges faced by UK hospitals in adopting electronic health record systems due to underestimated costs. The study identified four key cost categories: infrastructure, personnel, estates/facilities, and other expenses, which are often cut back during implementation.
The study found that patients with lower extremity joint replacement had the lowest hospital readmission rate (5.8%), while those with debility had the highest (18.8%). Higher motor and cognitive ratings were associated with lower readmission rates across all six categories.
The study estimates cumulative healthcare expenditures and lost productivity due to WNV disease have been substantially underestimated. Hospitalized cases of WNV disease have cost a cumulative $778 million in health care expenditures and lost productivity.
Pharmacies sell cigarettes despite being a leading cause of preventable death; CVS Caremark's decision aims to reduce smoking prevalence through eliminating tobacco product sales. The move aligns with efforts to strengthen the role of pharmacies in promoting health and could spark other retailers to follow suit.
Researchers examined the successes of connected health initiatives, such as Kaiser Permanente's integration of technology into patient care and the use of mobile phones to manage diabetes. They also found that facilities adopting telemedicine could reduce hospitalizations and costs by $120,000 annually.
A study by RAND Corporation found that telemedicine programs can provide good quality care for acute medical problems, with little evidence of misdiagnosis or treatment failure. Patients who used the service were younger, had fewer chronic conditions, and were more likely to be women and live in affluent areas.
The evaluation found measurable progress in reducing some targeted HAIs, prioritizing HAI preventing practices and coordinating national data sources. However, a steady flow of resources remains a challenge, slowing progress in identifying effective approaches to preventing HAIs.
Experts argue that stethoscopes may become obsolete due to the rapid advancement of point-of-care ultrasound technology, which has improved image quality, reduced cost, and increased portability. The shift towards ultrasound is driven by its ability to diagnose heart and lung problems with greater accuracy than traditional stethoscopes.
A new study by Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health estimates that health disparities among US African-American and Hispanic men result in $341.8 billion and $115 billion excess medical costs, respectively. The total economic burden is over $450 billion, with indirect costs contributing an additional $436.3 billion.
A UCSF study found significant variations in hospital charges for uncomplicated vaginal deliveries and C-sections, with estimated discounts ranging from 37% to $71,000. The study highlights the opacity of healthcare pricing in the US, affecting both uninsured and insured patients.
A new study found that acute otitis media, or ear infection, is associated with significant increases in direct costs incurred by consumers and the health care system. The research showed that pediatric AOM accounts for approximately $2.88 billion in added health care expenses annually.
A RAND Corporation study found that workplace wellness programs can save $3.78 in healthcare costs for every dollar invested in managing chronic illnesses. However, lifestyle management components were found to have smaller savings or no significant effect on health care costs.
A new study from Boston Children's Hospital found that a quality, payment initiative positively impacted pediatric care by improving preventive and acute care quality for the sickest pediatric patients. The study showed that children with chronic illness experienced higher quality gains.
A new Duke study found that nurse home visiting programs can reduce healthcare costs by $3 for every $1 spent, while also improving health and parenting outcomes. Participating families had lower rates of maternal anxiety and safer home environments than non-participating families.
A new study suggests that over 80% of consumers may struggle to estimate their healthcare needs, leading to costly plan choices. Researchers offer prescriptions to improve outcomes, including estimating costs first, educating through 'just-in-time' tutorials, and implementing cost calculators.
A survey of senior hospital executives shows they are highly optimistic about the future of the US healthcare system, expecting improved quality of care and cost reductions by 2020. Despite a pessimistic national dialogue, leaders believe reform will bring significant improvements in care delivery and management.
A recent Johns Hopkins study found that robotic colon surgery has similar outcomes to traditional laparoscopic surgery but comes at a higher cost. The study analyzed data from over 244,000 surgeries and revealed that robotic surgery costs nearly $3,000 more than laparoscopy.
Less than 15% of internal medicine residency programs have a formal curriculum addressing cost-conscious care, despite a national consensus on the issue. The study found that western US programs and university-based programs were more likely to adopt such curricula.
A study published in Obesity found that healthcare costs rose gradually with each unit increase in BMI, starting above a BMI of 19. Researchers analyzed health insurance claims data from 17,703 Duke employees and observed higher medical costs for overweight and obese individuals.
A meta-analysis found that healthier diet patterns cost significantly more than unhealthy ones, with an average daily difference of $1.50, representing a real burden for some families. The study suggests creating policies to offset these costs and reduce the economic benefits of healthy diets.
A study by Johns Hopkins researchers found that patients with traumatic eye socket injuries fared equally well at half the cost when treated at a busy teaching hospital compared to other Maryland hospitals. The study's findings suggest that high-volume care and standardized protocols can lead to significant cost savings.
Innovative information technologies may remove the 'shroud of secrecy' around private health care costs by providing transparent price data. Reference pricing, a concept introduced in Germany, involves setting a fixed price range for medical procedures to control costs.
Researchers emphasize measuring orthopaedic care value through patient-reported outcomes and cost analysis, enabling real-time medical decision-making. The study outlines key principles for implementing value-based healthcare in musculoskeletal care.
A study published in the Journal of General Internal Medicine found that providing real-time cost information to physicians reduces the ordering rate of laboratory tests, including both high- and low-cost tests. This intervention increased physicians' knowledge about costs and their willingness to order cost-effective services.
A new study highlights the long-term benefits of rotator cuff surgery, showing significant cost savings and improved quality of life for patients. The study estimates that surgeries result in a lifetime societal savings of approximately $3.44 billion annually.
Researchers found that patients with major HAIs after cardiac surgery were nearly twice as likely to be readmitted and incurred costs averaging $40,000 due to treating HAI infections.
A study published in Medical Care found that high-volume ERCP providers had lower failure rates and hospitalization rates compared to low-volume providers. The authors suggest establishing quality improvement guidelines and credentialing processes to improve patient outcomes.
Hospitalizations for atrial fibrillation in the US nearly doubled from 4.6 million in 1998 to 9.2 million in 2010, with a 46% increase over the decade. Researchers project a similar trend through 2020, with 541,000 hospitalizations expected by 2020. The estimated cost of hospitalizations is also projected to rise by 55% from 2010.
Cataract surgery yields significant patient value and economic wealth, saving $123.4 billion over 13 years with a 4,567% financial return on investment. The procedure also improves quality-of-life by 36.2%, enabling individuals to regain independence.
The US healthcare system has shown slow improvement in outcomes despite economic success, trailing peer nations in life expectancy and disease survival. The analysis found that cost increases are driven by price of professional services, not demand for services or population aging.