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.
Researchers found that virtual stroke care using two-way audio-video telemedicine is cost-effective for rural hospitals without a neurologist on staff. The study suggests that improved reimbursement rates and equipment costs could greatly diminish the disparity in stroke care between urban and rural areas.
Researchers found that telestroke, a two-way audio-video telemedicine system, is cost-effective for rural hospitals without around-the-clock neurologists. The study calculated the cost-effectiveness of telestroke by comparing costs and quality-adjusted life years of stroke patients treated with telestroke versus usual care.
A study published in the American Journal of Health Promotion found that consistently practicing Transcendental Meditation resulted in a significant decrease in physician fees for high-cost individuals, with a cumulative reduction of 28% after five years. This technique has major policy implications and could help reduce healthcare costs.
A study found that CIED infections are associated with increased mortality, hospital length of stay, and costs. The risk varies depending on the type of device, with pacemakers having a greater impact than other devices.
A new study of over 200,000 Medicare beneficiaries found that cardiac device infections result in extremely high costs and patient mortality rates, even after hospital discharge. The study highlights the need for infection prevention as a key component of reducing mortality and morbidity.
The new duty-hour limits will require US teaching hospitals to spend up to $1.3 billion a year on implementing the changes, which aim to reduce medical errors caused by fatigue. The reforms also introduce changes in the training environment, including standardized hand-overs and education on fatigue and patient safety.
A new study by University of North Carolina researchers found that adopting simple infection control measures can dramatically reduce targeted infections, mortality, and costs. The interventions included strict hand hygiene practices and measures to prevent ventilator-associated pneumonia.
The Schwartz Center for Compassionate Healthcare proposes an agenda to improve compassionate care in the US healthcare system. The center's recommendations include measuring compassionate care through a national quality standard, funding comparative effectiveness research, and developing comprehensive training programs.
A new study by RAND Corporation reveals that fast-rising health costs have eaten nearly all the income gains made by a median-income American family of four over the past decade. The family would have had an additional $545 per month to spend if healthcare costs had risen only as fast as other goods and services.
A new study by RAND Corporation suggests that increased consolidation among health plans nationally can benefit consumers by lowering hospital prices. In metropolitan areas with the fewest health plans, hospital prices were found to be about 12 percent lower.
The report highlights the importance of living conditions, such as housing quality and access to healthy food, in determining health outcomes. Health Impact Project director Aaron Wernham praises the publication as a 'game-changer' for promoting the use of health impact assessments in decision-making.
The role of clinical microbiology laboratories is evolving with the increasing availability of sophisticated technologies, which can improve the quality and delivery of services. The tools and changes they bring can substantially enhance patient care by reducing mortality rates from sepsis.
A new study found that nearly half of US adults were underinsured or uninsured in 2010, with many struggling to pay medical bills and skipping necessary care. Affordable Care Act reforms could substantially reduce the number of underinsured individuals by up to 70%.
Researchers at UC San Diego have been awarded grants to develop innovative, affordable healthcare technologies. The projects include a smartphone-based disease diagnostic tool and a device that turns cell phones into microscopes, with the goal of improving chronic disease management and preventive care in underserved communities.
A UK study reveals that long-term complications after bariatric surgery should be thoroughly assessed and investigated. A Finnish study finds that bariatric surgery is a more cost-effective way to treat morbid obesity than non-operative care, with reduced healthcare costs and improved quality of life.
The researchers are using genetically modified plants to encapsulate a tolerance-inducing protein within plant cells to prevent fatal allergic reactions in patients with hemophilia A and B. The new funding will help propel the research to determine if the technique can work in other models and potentially to clinical trials.
The study predicts a significant increase in obesity rates in the US and UK, with an estimated 65 million additional obese adults in the US and 11 million more in the UK by 2030. This would lead to increased healthcare costs and a higher risk of chronic diseases such as diabetes, coronary heart disease, and cancer.
A study by Concordia University economists found that workers in high-stress jobs visit doctors more often, with a 26% increase in healthcare utilization. The study also estimated that workplace stress costs US companies $68 billion annually and reduces productivity by 10%.
A new Commonwealth Fund report reveals that nearly three-quarters of people who lost their health insurance when they lost their jobs over the last two years skipped needed health care or struggled with medical bills. The Affordable Care Act will provide expanded health insurance options, including subsidies and Medicaid coverage, star...
A recent commentary in CMAJ highlights that alternative funding models for healthcare in Canada will not reduce costs nor achieve financial sustainability. The majority of healthcare costs are spent on a small proportion of the population, and private healthcare has higher administrative costs.
Researchers at Virginia Tech and the University of Virginia are creating a portable fall prediction monitoring system that can identify individuals most at risk for falling. The system, called ROOP-Alert, uses sensors to measure gait, posture, and mobility, providing early diagnosis and treatment before falls occur.
A U of T study found that upgrading to pressure-reduction mattresses can prevent 1,005 pressure ulcers and save $7.2 million in healthcare costs annually for elderly patients in Ontario's emergency departments. The cost of upgrading would be 30 cents per patient, resulting in a savings of $32 per patient.
Researchers found that limiting drug-eluting stent use to high-risk patients preserves clinical benefits while reducing costs by an average of $401 per patient. The selective use of these stents has saved the US healthcare system around $400 million annually.
According to a commentary in JAMA, the individual mandate would strengthen the patient-physician relationship, increase access to health insurance coverage, and stabilize insurance premiums. This could lead to reduced costs and increased life expectancy for patients.
A new study by Cornell University researchers found that US physicians spend nearly $61,000 more annually on administrative expenses due to the complexity of US health insurance systems. This burden disproportionately affects nurses and medical staff in the US.
Research at National Jewish Health found that poorly controlled asthma doubles healthcare costs, with children missing an average of 18 days of school annually. Proper education and supervision can improve asthma control and reduce costs, improving the lives and chances for success of affected children.
Physician practices in the US spend significantly more time interacting with health insurers and payers, resulting in higher per capita health spending. The study found that if US physicians had similar administrative costs to those in Canada, it could save $27.6 billion per year.
A new school-based obesity prevention curriculum has been shown to significantly reduce medical costs associated with obesity and eating disorders. The program, Planet Health, was found to prevent 1 case of bulimia nervosa among girls aged 13-17 in each participating school, resulting in an estimated $34,000 in savings per girl.
A new study finds that workers who receive settlements for painful on-the-job back injuries experience worsening financial and domestic problems over time. Younger workers and those with lower incomes are particularly affected, with significant increases in financial difficulties and legal actions.
A national study found that hospitalists' patients have higher Medicare costs in the 30 days after discharge due to increased post-discharge medical utilization and cost shifting. Hospitalist care was initially thought to reduce overall costs, but the findings suggest otherwise.
The deployment of speed cameras in urban areas saves vast amounts of money by reducing the number of road traffic accidents. This financial analysis reveals net savings of up to £20.17 million over two years.
Two studies found that transitional care programs can significantly reduce hospital readmissions, with one program showing a 48% lower 30-day readmission rate. The findings suggest the potential of these programs to improve health outcomes and reduce healthcare costs.
A new study found that bariatric surgery is a cost-effective treatment option for all obese patients, with significant savings in medical costs over lifetime. The analysis suggests that the procedure should be universally available to all obese people, making it a good value and a potential game-changer in obesity treatment.
Physicians can tailor treatment decisions by assessing the outcome of each treatment on smaller subgroups of patients, streamlining decision-making while keeping expenditures low. The approach aims to provide more accurate cost-benefit analysis for individual patients, complementing population-level analyses.
A recent study shows that generic medications can reduce the cost of treating chronic diseases by up to 80%, making preventive care a more affordable option. The research team recommends policy makers promote the use of generics in treatment standards and educate physicians and patients about their effectiveness.
A study found that cutting IVF funding in Denmark leads to significant short-term cost savings, but long-term losses. By 2059, the government would have lost €74-123 million due to fewer tax contributions from children born through IVF.
The Cancer Risk Management model uses dynamic simulations to project realistic Canadian populations, offering insights into screening, prevention, and treatment changes. By reducing smoking rates, the model predicts a decrease in lung cancer incidence and cumulative savings in direct treatment costs.
Independent reviews report that many new drugs offer few advantages over existing ones, with median development costs ranging from $13 million to $333 million. This challenges the oft-quoted cost of bringing a new drug to market as high as $1.32 billion.
Researchers found that nearly all PCIs (98.6%) for acute indications were classified as appropriate, while only half of those for nonacute indications could be classified as such. The study suggests an opportunity to examine and improve the selection of patients undergoing PCI in the non-acute setting.
A new study found that behavioral treatments for migraines, such as relaxation training and hypnosis, can be more cost-effective than prescription drugs in the long run. After six months, minimal-contact behavioral treatment was competitive with pharmacologic treatments, while after one year, it was nearly $500 cheaper.
A recent study found that self-referral in medical imaging contributes to increased diagnostic imaging growth, with a 59.7% utilization rate of imaging services attributed to non-radiologist self-referers. The study estimates $3.6 billion in excess costs to Medicare Part B annually due to unnecessary imaging.
A simple roll of duct tape has been proven to be an effective solution for hospital communication with isolated patients. The 'Red Box' safe zone saves up to 2,700 hours and $110,000 annually by reducing the need for personal protective equipment.
The University of Cincinnati's research on hospital supply chains offers promising solutions for reducing costs and improving efficiency. By adopting a hybrid model that combines periodic and continuous resupply, hospitals can save up to 18% in labor costs, while also ensuring sufficient inventory levels.
The World Health Organization's latest Dengue Bulletin documents the substantial growth of dengue cases in the Americas, Africa, and Asia. The report reveals alarming increases in dengue deaths, with Brazil experiencing a 6.2% rise per year from 1999-2009.
Researchers at Oregon State University have confirmed that ultrawideband technology could enable the development of body-area networks for continuous health monitoring. The technology has the potential to reduce healthcare costs and improve medical care by providing non-invasive, low-cost solutions for real-time health diagnosis.
A study found an inverse relationship between temperature and falls on snow and ice leading to emergency admission, with older men most vulnerable. The cost of these falls was estimated at 42 million GBP in the UK during winter 2009-2010.
A new report reveals that osteoporotic fractures have a significant impact on European society, resulting in an estimated 2.5 million new fractures annually and €30.7 billion in health costs. The report estimates that the economic burden of fractures will increase to €38.5 billion by 2025.
A new study by the Commonwealth Fund reveals that Medicaid managed care plans owned by publicly traded for-profit companies spend an average of 14% on administrative costs, compared to 10% for non-publicly traded plans. The report highlights concerns about quality of care and efficiency in these plans.
A new poll finds that most Massachusetts residents support the state's landmark health reform law, with 63% in favor and only 9% opposing it. The majority of residents also believe the law has been successful in providing health coverage to nearly all state residents.
A study suggests that radiology benefit managers can have a negative impact on referring physicians, shifting significant costs to them. The study found that while RBMs aim to lower healthcare costs, they often result in cost savings being offset by increased fees for physicians and staff.
Researchers found that migraine sufferers often experience fatigue, anxiety, mood changes, and yawning before an attack. Early intervention using triptans during the premonitory phase may help prevent or reduce the severity of attacks.
A new IOF position paper advocates for coordinator-based systems to optimize outcome in fragility fracture patients, improving diagnosis and treatment of osteoporosis. This approach has been shown to reduce the risk of fractures and save money in healthcare systems.
A new study led by St. Michael's Hospital found that private weight-loss surgery clinics in Canada offer significantly shorter wait times than the public system, with median wait times of only one month compared to 21 months in the public health-care system. However, the quality of patient care may be suffering due to a lack of critica...
A new report by the Commonwealth Fund found that nearly half of young adults (45%) couldn't afford needed healthcare in 2010, with 40% struggling to pay medical bills. The Affordable Care Act is already making a difference, with over 600,000 young adults gaining new insurance coverage since 2010.
A study published in the Journal of the American College of Surgeons found that comprehensive tort reform in Texas resulted in an 80% decrease in surgical malpractice lawsuits and a significant reduction in associated costs. The study, which spanned 18 years, showed that the prevalence of lawsuits dropped from 40/100,000 operations to ...
A study found that expanded use of electronic medical records would substantially reduce infant mortality in the U.S., saving approximately 16 babies for every 100,000 live births. A complete national transition to electronic records would save an estimated 6,400 infants each year.
A study published in Archives of Surgery found that obese patients are at a significantly higher risk of developing surgical site infections after colectomy. The study also showed that these infections result in increased costs, lengthier hospital stays, and a higher rate of hospital readmissions. As pay-for-performance models penalize...
A new study from Johns Hopkins Medicine reveals that obese patients undergoing colon surgery are 60% more likely to develop costly surgical-site infections. These infections result in extended hospital stays, increased costs of $17,000 per patient, and a three-times greater risk of hospital readmission.
The Affordable Care Act is expanding health insurance coverage to nearly all uninsured women, addressing the issue of millions unable to afford needed healthcare. The law includes premium subsidies and new rules protecting women from high costs, aiming to increase access to preventive care and reduce medical debt.
Despite concerns about bias, most health professionals are unwilling to pay higher fees to eliminate commercial funding sources. The majority of respondents believe that commercial support introduces potential bias in CME activities.