Articles tagged with Health Care Costs
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 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 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 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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Penn Medicine researcher Ezekiel J. Emanuel recommends limiting US health care cost growth to match US economy's GDP growth for improved quality of care and transformed healthcare system. The proposal involves team-based care coordination, reduced hospitalizations, and more outpatient monitoring.
The US has much higher medical costs and worse outcomes than other developed countries. A new study suggests that the increasing prices of drugs, medical devices, and hospital costs are driving the high healthcare costs in the country. Meanwhile, patients are further removed from understanding the true cost of their care.
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.
Pregnancies with twins or higher-order multiple births cost significantly more due to increased maternal morbidities, cesarean sections, and neonatal intensive care. Strategies to minimize multiple embryo transfer are recommended to reduce the burden associated with multiple pregnancies.
Researchers at UCSF advocate empowering all team members to care for a large number of patients based on their training and abilities. They recommend expanding the scope of practice for registered nurses, pharmacists, physical therapists, and medical assistants to provide care for uncomplicated medical problems.
The high cost of medical education is unsustainable and must be reduced to lower the overall cost of healthcare. Currently, students graduate with debt exceeding $150,000, which may lead to a market correction if healthcare costs decline.
The EU has launched a project called WE-CARE, which aims to create a strategic plan for reducing healthcare costs in Europe. The project will be coordinated by the University of Gothenburg Centre for Person-centred Care and involves several European research institutes, businesses, and non-profit organizations.
A new study found that oral nutritional supplements decreased the probability of 30-day hospital readmission, length of stay, and costs among hospitalized Medicare patients aged 65 and over. The use of oral nutritional supplements was associated with an 8.4% reduction in 30-day readmission rates among patients with any diagnosis.
A study by Western University found that cardiac rehabilitation programs lead to a 31% reduction in hospital readmission rates and a 26% drop in cardiovascular mortality. The program's cost savings exceed $400,000 over two years, making it a financially viable option.
A new study published in Health Affairs examines the pursuit of improved physical and mental health through various initiatives, including expanding home-delivered meal programs for seniors. The study also explores the economic benefits of biosimilars and how delaying aging could increase life expectancy by an additional 2.2 years.
A team of researchers has developed a model system using fruit flies to study traumatic brain injury (TBI), revealing the genetic underpinnings of susceptibility and links to human TBI. The findings suggest that genetics play a crucial role in determining the outcome of an injury, which may explain why current TBI drugs have failed in ...
The EU's total cancer cost was estimated to be €126 billion in 2009, with health care systems accounting for two-fifths of the expenditure. Lung cancer had the highest overall cost, while breast cancer was responsible for the largest share of spending on drugs.
A study by Boston University School of Medicine found that patients with high activation levels were less likely to be readmitted to the hospital within 30 days. Patients with low activation had nearly twice the risk of 30-day post-discharge hospital service utilization, highlighting the need for tailored patient education.
A Mayo Clinic study found that cataract surgery rates are rising across all age groups, with a significant increase among 70- and 80-year-olds. The demand is expected to continue, highlighting the need to manage costs and ensure access to treatment.
Researchers at The Dartmouth Institute for Health Policy & Clinical Practice found that more than half the US population lives in areas where ACOs have been established. These areas tend to have higher performance on quality measures, greater managed care penetration and lower poverty rates.
A study by Henry Ford Hospital urologists found that while women are more prone to urinary tract infections, men are more likely to be hospitalized for treatment. The researchers discovered that older men and those with serious kidney infections were most often admitted to the hospital.
Accountable care organizations, formed by consolidating doctors and hospitals into large networks, are more common in regions with payment risk sharing at hospitals and larger integrated hospital systems. These organizations aim to improve quality and cut costs without offering lower premiums to consumers.
A randomized trial assessed whether wearing gloves and gowns for all patient contact in ICUs reduces MRSA or VRE acquisition. The study found a lower risk of MRSA acquisition alone, but no overall reduction in the composite rate of both bacteria.
A Rice University study finds that technology growth and sicker patient populations contribute significantly to rising hospital costs in Texas. The study contradicts the common assumption that uninsured patients are driving price increases, suggesting a need for greater attention to understanding cost drivers.