Research on the cost of health care and how to control it. Covers cardiovascular care in Latin America, emergency-visit costs, insulin pricing, and screening gaps.
A study found that policies with higher premiums for overweight individuals are perceived as stigmatizing, while 'carrot' plans with premium reductions for healthy-weight people are seen as more effective. Participants also evaluated plans on moral grounds, deciding that punishing someone for being overweight was wrong regardless of po...
A study from the University of York found that antimicrobial copper touch surfaces in intensive care units reduce bioburden by >90% and associated with a 58% reduction in healthcare-associated infections. The cost-effectiveness analysis predicts rapid return on investment, saving hospitals millions over five years.
A study analyzing high-cost Medicare patients' spending found that only a small percentage of their costs were related to preventable emergency department visits and hospitalizations, limiting the ability to lower costs through better outpatient care. The majority of inpatient costs were attributed to catastrophic events such as sepsis...
The Massachusetts public health experience provides valuable insights into the role of public health in healthcare reform. Public health officials learned to fight for a decision-making role, analyze data, and defend traditional services while contributing to cost reduction and quality improvement efforts.
Outpatient treatment significantly reduces arrest rates for people with mental health problems, saving the government $95,000 per individual. Providing mental health care not only benefits individuals but also society as a whole.
A new study found that school-located vaccination clinics increased flu vaccination rates among children by 13.2 percentage points, despite higher initial costs. The program may be a cost-effective way to broaden access to flu vaccines for children, particularly in primary-care settings.
Scaling up these interventions would save 900,000 children's lives per year and reduce stunting prevalence by 20% worldwide. The interventions include supplements and treatment strategies for malnutrition.
A study published in PLOS Medicine found that evergreening strategies, which extend patent life of brand drugs, increased healthcare costs in Geneva, Switzerland. The researchers analyzed the cost of eight follow-on drugs and found that replacing them with generics could have saved €15.9 million to €14.4 million.
A new study estimates that employers pay an average of $5,816 annually above the cost of a person who never smoked for each employee who smokes. The highest costs are due to lost productivity and health-care expenses exceeding insurance costs for nonsmokers.
A recent study published in Tobacco Control found that employers in the US pay an average of $5,816 (£3,865) extra per year for employees who smoke compared to non-smokers. The main factors contributing to these increased costs are absenteeism, smoking breaks, and healthcare expenditures.
A new RAND Corporation study suggests that states choosing not to expand Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act will face significant financial costs, including $1 billion more in uncompensated care spending and foregone federal payments of $8.4 billion annually. This would leave an additional 3.6 million people without health insurance.
Wearable sensors and digital communication systems offer fast, inexpensive and efficient mobile health information, reducing extended hospitalization and in-patient costs. Big data and preventive healthcare are also being developed to enable personalized medicine practice and early therapeutic intervention.
Researchers found that using the oral glucose challenge test (OGCT) with a glucose threshold of 7.2 mmol/L had a sensitivity of 99 percent and specificity of 77 percent for diagnosing gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). GDM screening may also reduce complications such as preeclampsia, shoulder dystocia, and high birth weight.
A survey of 22,000 patients found that those who preferred to participate in medical decisions had a 0.26-day longer length of stay and $865 higher total hospitalization costs. Patient preference increased with educational level and private health insurance.
A hospital-based study found that patients who want to participate in their medical decisions end up spending more time in the hospital and raising costs of their hospital stay by an average of $865. The study suggests that encouraging patients to be more involved may not reduce costs, but rather increase length of stay and costs. Prov...
The American College of Physicians recommends targeting a blood glucose level of 140-200 mg/dL for surgical and medical intensive care unit patients when using intensive insulin therapy. The guidelines aim to balance the benefits and harms of hyperglycemia management in hospitalized patients.
A study of 80 patients found that 42.5% had no obstruction, 23% had reversible obstruction, and only 35% had non-reversible obstruction, suggesting widespread misdiagnosis of COPD. The study highlights the importance of spirometry in confirming diagnosis and reducing unnecessary medical expenses.
Research on practice transformation, cost estimates for primary care facilitation, and alternative payment reform options are presented. The median cost of practice facilitation to improve chronic illness care is estimated at $9,670 per year, with lower costs expected in subsequent years.
The RAND Corporation report highlights emergency physicians' critical role in evaluating, managing, and preventing hospital admissions. The study found that ERs account for nearly half of all hospital admissions, with non-elective admissions increasing 3.8 times the rate of population growth.
A new study suggests that more objective testing can substantially reduce the cost and risk of managing gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), with potential cost savings of up to $7,300 per patient over 10 years. Additionally, researchers identified risk factors associated with surgical readmissions in major gastrointestinal resections.
A study found that Massachusetts' healthcare reform in 2006 led to a 3.6% increase in average quarterly hospital admissions, similar to neighboring states without reform. The total days of inpatient care increased by 0.94%, and hospital charges per quarter rose by 1.1% more than in comparison states.
A new study by Penn Medicine found that most cancer doctors, patients, and the general public support cutting healthcare costs by refusing to pay for drugs without improving survival or quality of life. The survey also revealed that large numbers favored not paying for more expensive drugs when cheaper alternatives are equally effective.
A study demonstrated that an antibiotic stewardship program using Bruker's MALDI Biotyper analyzer reduced average length of stay by two days and overall costs by almost $20,000 per patient. The program improved patient care through rapid pathogen identification and accurate antimicrobial susceptibility testing.
A study by the University of Michigan found that African Americans are less likely to call 9-1-1 immediately after experiencing stroke symptoms due to concerns about medical costs and ambulance response time. The study aimed to address these barriers and improve prompt hospital care, as timely treatment can reduce permanent damage.
A study finds that private Medicare Advantage plans have cost Medicare an extra $282.6 billion since 1985, with $34.1 billion overpaid in 2012. The plans' strategies include cherry-picking healthier beneficiaries and recruiting patients from the Veteran's Administration to increase profits.
A new article by Johns Hopkins faculty highlights the importance of advance directives in managing end-of-life care issues and reducing medical costs. Completing an advance directive document can lower end-of-life expenses for Medicare, Medicaid, and commercial insurance.
A new study found that nearly 97% of obese enrollees met or exceeded the average goal of 5,000 steps a day via an Internet-tracked walking program. This suggests that incentivized wellness programs can encourage healthy behaviors and reduce health costs.
The Hastings Center has released a new set of guidelines for good care near the end of life, aiming to improve communication, pain management, and treatment decisions. The guidelines clarify what is ethically permissible in the US regarding life-sustaining technologies and provide practical guidance for healthcare professionals.
A new study proposes a 'Medicare Essential' plan that combines Medicare's hospital, physician, and prescription drug coverage with private supplemental coverage to simplify benefits and lower out-of-pocket costs. The plan aims to save $180 billion over 10 years while improving care for beneficiaries.
A slowdown in healthcare spending growth could result in Americans saving up to $770 billion on Medicare costs over the next decade. This decrease is attributed to a decline in new drug development and increased efficiency in the healthcare system.
A new study found that strategies to lower Medicare costs, such as increasing premiums and raising the eligibility age, could lead to some seniors losing coverage, prompting concerns about access to healthcare. The analysis suggests that premium support programs or voucher plans could cut spending by up to 24%.
The SCAMPs platform, developed at Boston Children's Hospital, helps healthcare providers continuously improve their medical practice by reducing costs and improving patient outcomes. Successful outcomes associated with the platform include lower costs, reduced practice variation, and improved outcomes for various pediatric conditions.
A new protocol using single, high-dose erythropoietin administered two days prior to surgery reduces transfusion requirements by one-third and improves patient outcomes.
A study by Henry Ford Health found that ER visits for urinary tract infections result in nearly $4 billion in unnecessary costs each year. The research analyzed data from 10.8 million patients with a primary diagnosis of UTI who visited emergency rooms from 2006 to 2009.
Two new studies from Henry Ford Hospital found that hematuria, or blood in the urine, contributes significantly to emergency room costs. Imaging procedures for hematuria result in an estimated $75 million annual increase in ED charges.
Neuraxial anesthesia reduces morbidity, mortality, length of hospital stay, and costs in patients undergoing hip or knee replacement. It lowers rates of pulmonary compromise, pneumonia, infections, and acute renal failure compared to general anesthesia.
The Early Start Denver Model has been shown to improve social skills and brain responses in toddlers with ASD, while minimizing therapies required through the school years. The study found that ESDM-receiving children required significantly fewer hours of special education services and individual therapies.
A new review of malpractice claims suggests efforts needed to reduce errors leading to claims. The largest payouts were for diagnosis-related events, which showed twice the odds of a catastrophic payout compared to equipment- or product-related errors.
A recent analysis published in the Annals of Emergency Medicine found that emergency care cost estimates are too low, with costs ranging from 4.9-5.8% of total healthcare spending. The study suggests that an alternative accounting method, Time-Driven Activity-Based Costing (ABC), could provide a more realistic measure of ED costs.
The increasing cost of leukemia treatments in the US is leaving many patients under- or untreated due to unaffordable care. CML experts call for a long-term solution to manage treatment costs, balancing investments from various parties.
By 2030, heart failure costs are projected to exceed $70 billion, with 8 million people affected, up from 5 million in 2012. Improved prevention and treatment strategies are needed to address this growing burden.
While computer-based decision support systems can help reduce testing costs by 9%, they are unlikely to overcome the root causes of unnecessary medical testing and cultural issues within the healthcare system.
A study of nearly 35,000 surgical discharges found that occurrence of postsurgical complications was associated with higher per-encounter hospital contribution margin for Medicare and private insurance patients, but lower one for Medicaid and self-pay patients. This suggests that hospitals may need to adjust their financial strategies ...
A study at Johns Hopkins Hospital found that providing physicians with upfront price transparency for laboratory tests resulted in a 9% decrease in test orders and significant cost savings. The practice decreased overall use of tests, saving hundreds of thousands of dollars over six months.
Researchers at Medstar Health and Georgetown University School of Medicine found that implementing a value-based analysis approach to preventing deep vein thrombosis (DVT) in surgical patients resulted in significant cost savings, with an estimated overall system-wide savings opportunity of $4 million. The study identified limiting the...
A new study suggests that medical therapy is a viable alternative to angioplasty in treating stable coronary artery disease, reducing the risk of complications and hospitalizations. The study proposes a targeted approach to shared decision-making, considering treatment options, risks, and outcomes for patients.
A new study estimates that dementia care costs are comparable to those of heart disease and cancer, with annual costs ranging from $159-$215 billion. The majority of these costs are due to long-term daily care and supervision provided by families and nursing homes.
A new study by the USC Schaeffer Center and RAND Corporation found that patients with high deductibles pay roughly the same amount as traditionally insured patients for most outpatient services. The study suggests that lack of transparency about medical costs and patient loyalty to primary care physicians hinder price comparison, leadi...
Vermont's aggressive health care reform initiatives offer valuable lessons for other states, including engaging stakeholders, coordinating implementation efforts, and capitalizing on federal financing opportunities. The state's centralized administrative board has resulted in lower costs by eliminating duplication of efforts.
The monetary cost of dementia in the US is estimated to range from $157 billion to $215 billion annually, surpassing both heart disease and cancer. The majority of costs are associated with institutional and home-based long-term care, rather than medical services.
A UCLA study found that heart failure medications recommended by national guidelines are highly cost-effective in saving lives and may also provide savings to the healthcare system. The combination of these medical therapies demonstrated the greatest gains in quality-adjusted life years for heart failure patients.
A new study by RAND Corporation finds that expanding Medicaid in Pennsylvania would increase federal revenue by more than $2 billion annually and provide health insurance to 340,000 residents. The expansion would also sustain over 35,000 jobs and boost economic activity by $3 billion.
Research from Brigham and Women's Hospital finds that states with restrictive Medicaid eligibility criteria have higher rates of patients delaying needed medical care. Regions with the highest rates of delayed medical care are primarily in the southeast, including Florida and Texas, where Hispanics are at a higher risk for delaying care.
A new model developed at Brigham and Women's Hospital helps clinicians identify high-risk patients for potentially avoidable hospital readmissions. The model uses seven independent factors, including hemoglobin level and length of stay, to predict the risk of readmission.
A study at the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons found significant variations in spinal component costs, with pedicle screws, anterior cervical plates, and posterior interbody cages costing $400 to $7,200 per patient. Greater transparency and coordinated implant selection and purchase processes could reduce these costs by up to ...
Research studies found that obesity is associated with longer hospital stays and higher related costs in total knee replacement patients, but not with an overall increase in complication risk. Patients with a BMI of 25-30kg/m2 had the lowest length of hospital stay and direct medical costs.
A new UK-based study published in The BMJ found that telehealth for patients with long-term conditions does not seem to be a cost-effective addition to standard support and treatment. Despite promises of reduced healthcare costs, the study revealed that total costs for those using telehealth were higher than usual care.
A new study at Henry Ford Hospital finds that catheter-based treatments are more cost-effective than traditional vein-stripping surgery. The treatment uses heat energy to seal diseased veins, restoring normal blood flow with minimal scarring and no hospitalization required.
A study found that primary care management of obstructive sleep apnea was not clinically inferior to specialist care, with significant improvements in daytime sleepiness scores. Primary care management also resulted in lower costs, estimated at $1,819 per patient, compared to specialist care at $3,068.
A new study proposes converting New York's all-purpose energy infrastructure to renewable energy sources like wind, water, and sunlight. The plan aims to reduce pollution-related costs, create local jobs, and save the state billions of dollars annually.