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.
The Lancet reports a growing global burden of diabetic foot disease and amputation, affecting an estimated 25% of people with diabetes. Prevention measures such as foot-care services and simple clinical tests can reduce the risk of complications, but are often ignored in many countries.
The study analyzed data from 2,567 clients and estimated cost of treatment for an individual, finding reductions in hospital inpatient, emergency room, and mental health services costs. The research team also discovered a significant reduction in the cost of victimization and other criminal activities, averaging $5,676.
Researchers found that physicians in high-spending areas order more tests, referrals, and treatments than those in low spending areas. This study isolates the role of physician behavior in explaining regional differences in practice and spending.
A recent systematic review and meta-analysis of bariatric procedures found that the average percentage of excess weight loss after operation was 61 percent, with significant increases in rates of hospital admission. Patients who underwent Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery had a doubling of hospitalization rates compared to those before ...
Reducing resident physician work-hours may lead to significant cost savings, with estimates suggesting $673 million to $1.1 billion in annual savings nationwide. To break even or save money, however, harmful errors would need to decrease by 19-31%.
A retrospective study found that patients treated with oral ZYVOX had lower healthcare resource utilization and costs compared to those treated with vancomycin. The average total cost per patient was $4,630 less for ZYVOX patients.
Researchers found that ICDs provide value in appropriate patients, but more research is needed to identify high-risk patients who would benefit most from the therapy. The study suggests that ICD use could be more cost-effective with lower implantation costs or extended device lifespan.
Researchers will investigate how patient cost-sharing affects health care law, medical ethics, and the doctor-patient relationship. The study aims to better understand the impact of consumer-directed initiatives on these areas.
Acute heart failure is a significant concern, affecting approximately 30% of acute coronary syndrome patients, with female patients showing higher prevalence rates. Hospitalizations for heart failure are comparable to myocardial infarctions, with high mortality rates during hospitalization and follow-up.
A new study demonstrates that improved patient selection methods lead to significantly better therapy outcomes for patients with suspected neurally-mediated syncope. The study used implantable loop recorders and found a lower recurrence rate in patients who received pacemaker therapy.
Since the introduction of the varicella vaccine, hospitalizations due to chicken pox have decreased by 88% and ambulatory visits by 59%, according to a recent study. These declines are observed across all age groups, with infants under 1 year experiencing the most significant reductions in hospitalizations.
A new study estimates that S. aureus infections cause an average of 292,045 hospital stays per year, resulting in 3 times longer stays, triple the total charges, and five times higher risk of in-hospital death compared to non-infected patients. The study also found that antibiotic-resistant strains are becoming increasingly common.
A study evaluated the Quebec Neuroblastoma Screening Project and found that not implementing screening programs saved $574.1 million in unnecessary health costs. The study also found that widespread use of neuroblastoma screening across North America would have caused adverse health effects.
A new analysis of existing studies reveals that individuals with overweight or obesity are at a higher risk of experiencing GERD symptoms, erosive esophagitis, and esophageal cancer. In contrast, researchers found no significant difference in mortality rates between patients undergoing peritoneal dialysis or hemodialysis for end-stage ...
A new study by Michigan Medicine found that a simple written-reminder system can reduce urinary catheter use by 7.6% and lead to a significant decrease in hospital-acquired infections. The system's cost is estimated to be lower than the savings it generates, with potential tens of thousands of dollars in annual savings.
A recent study found that virtual colonoscopy can detect extracolonic abnormalities in 63% of patients, with clinically important findings detected in 9%. The procedure is potentially cost-effective and can be used to screen for other conditions as well.
A nationwide study found that immigrants spend half as much on healthcare as native-born Americans, with many receiving lower levels of care. Immigrant children receive significantly less care in doctors' offices and emergency rooms compared to U.S.-born children.
The Massachusetts legislature is considering mandatory minimum nurse staffing ratios, with recent research highlighting the importance of nursing staff in improving patient outcomes. The proposed legislation aims to increase the supply of nurses and track patient outcomes, amidst a growing nursing shortage in the state.
A recent study found that nearly half of patients admitted for heart-related symptoms do not have acute coronary syndromes. Emergency physicians with a fear of malpractice are more likely to order unnecessary tests and admit low-risk patients, increasing healthcare costs.
A study by Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health found that the US spends more on healthcare than any other country due to higher prices for health care goods and services. Defensivemedicine contributes more to higher health spending than malpractice premiums.
A study comparing CABG treatment costs in the US and Canada found that in-hospital costs were substantially higher in the US, with a 82.5% increase compared to Canada. Despite shorter length of stay in the US, the cost difference was primarily due to higher resource prices and labor costs.
A new type of footwear, Yaktrax Walker, has been shown to significantly reduce falls in the elderly population. The study found that participants who wore the device outdoors experienced a 76% lower rate of falls compared to those wearing normal winter footwear.
A study by Stanford researchers suggests that converting to hydrogen fuel cell vehicles powered by wind could prevent millions of cases of respiratory illness and tens of thousands of hospitalizations. The conversion could be done at a comparable cost to gasoline, with potential health benefits outweighing the costs.
A European study found that multiple pregnancies have a significant economic impact, with costs estimated at over €60m annually. The study suggests that preventing multiple births through single embryo transfer can reduce these costs and improve outcomes for mothers and babies.
A study found that IVF's benefits, including increased live births and reduced multiple births, outweigh its costs. The 'production' cost of a pregnancy rose from €14,000 to €22,000 between 1994 and 2002.
Physicians performing independent medical examinations (IMEs) still owe legal duties to patients, even without traditional relationships. The U.S. health care provider market is a key factor in rising health care costs, with strong market power driving high prices and quantity of medical services.
A new clinical return-to-work rule developed by Dionne et al. improves the prediction of successful outcomes for patients with back pain. However, C. Maher suggests that further research is required to determine its effectiveness in guiding treatment decisions.
A study published in Obstetrics & Gynecology found that high malpractice premiums are affecting the supply of obstetricians, particularly in states with the highest costs. Researchers found a significant increase in births-per-junior fellow in high-premium states compared to low-premium states.
Researchers found that people with secondary CHF (diagnosed while hospitalized for another reason) were more likely to die, incur higher medical costs, and spend more time in the hospital than those diagnosed with primary CHF. The study analyzed data from over 2.5 million patients admitted to 350 US hospitals in 2003.
A study found that nearly all US physicians in six high-risk specialties reported practicing defensive medicine, with common practices including ordering unnecessary tests and referring patients for consultation. Defensive medicine may reduce access to care and pose risks of physical harm, particularly in women's health.
A recent study published in the Journal of Cardiac Surgery found that robotic-assisted cardiac procedures were not more expensive than conventional techniques, despite a higher capital investment. The research showed significant cost benefits from robotic surgery, making it a justified investment for emerging technology.
The HIPAA privacy rule has made it harder and costlier for researchers to conduct follow-up surveys after hospitalization, resulting in a drastic drop in participation rates from 96% to 34%. The changes have also increased the cost of performing surveys and skewed the data due to patient demographics.
A study analyzing hospital data from 1996 to 2002 found that diagnostic imaging costs remained stable as a percentage of hospital expenses. The study also showed that additional spending on imaging was associated with shorter hospital stays by approximately 0.26 days.
A new study by Massachusetts General Hospital found that imaging costs contribute to only about 10% of overall hospital expenses. Despite a significant increase in imaging studies during the study period, the cost of these procedures remained relatively stable.
A new study estimates that polluted O.C. beaches result in significant healthcare costs, affecting both locals and tourists. The research, conducted by UCI researchers, provides policymakers with a valuable tool for evaluating the cost-benefit of cleaning up coastal waters.
The HealthGrades Patient Safety in American Hospitals Study found that top-performing hospitals had 267,151 fewer patient safety incidents and 48,417 fewer deaths compared to the bottom 10%. Hospital-acquired infections were a significant contributor to these differences.
A study by Johns Hopkins Medicine researchers found that the annual operating costs for medical institutional review boards (IRBs) range from $171,014 to $4,705,333. The median cost is $741,920, with low-volume institutions having the lowest IRB costs and high-volume centers benefiting from economies of scale.
A network of non-profit groups in California is providing critical assistance to low-income consumers struggling with insurance problems, resolving 62% of issues. The Health Consumer Alliance helps consumers choose coverage, navigate public programs, and reduces costs, morbidity, and litigation
The March of Dimes estimates that nearly half of hospital charges for preemies are billed to employers, totaling $7.4 billion annually. Premature birth also causes lost productivity, with mothers averaging 29.1 days away from work and employees losing up to $2,766 per delivery.
A new study estimates the economic costs of firefighter injuries to be between $2.8 and $7.8 billion, highlighting the need for improved safety measures and prevention programs. The report recommends investing in technologies such as robots for reconnaissance and early detection systems to reduce injury costs.
A new study found that pre-diabetes prevention efforts are worth every penny, with a one-on-one weight loss and exercise program showing a 58% reduction in Type 2 diabetes risk. Lifestyle interventions could delay the onset of diabetes by an average of 11 years and reduce the risk of developing diabetes by 20%.
A large-scale study of 39,462 members found that electronic medical records can reduce hospitalizations by 19% and annual paid claims by $817. The CareEngine system improved patient outcomes while reducing costs, highlighting the potential of clinical decision support tools.
A study by Harvard Medical School and Harvard Law School found that illness and medical bills contribute to at least 46.2% of all bankruptcy filings, with families often facing unaffordable co-payments and lost income from prolonged illnesses.
A Canadian Medical Association Journal article evaluates the economic impact of sirolimus-eluting stents, finding they are cost-effective in high-risk patients. However, their use is associated with a similar or higher cost per quality-adjusted life-year compared to other medical treatments.
A study by SLU researchers found that African-Americans receive less medical care and smaller compensation packages for work-related back injuries, leading to greater dissatisfaction and long-term disability. This disparity can result in increased costs for the system and individuals, highlighting the need for more equitable treatment.
A recent study suggests that whole-body CT screening for cancer and other diseases is not a cost-effective use of healthcare funding. The procedure's estimated $2,513 cost per patient yields only minimal gains in life expectancy, making it more expensive than many other interventions.
The Georgia Medicaid program implemented a prior-authorization program for anti-ulcer drugs, resulting in a net savings of $20.6 million. The program increased the use of generic histamine type-2 antagonists and decreased PPI drug expenditures by $30.9 million.
According to a study published in Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, children with special healthcare needs (CSHCN) have significantly higher healthcare expenditures compared to their peers. The study found that CSHCN account for 42.1% of total medical care costs and 33.6% of total health care costs.
The study found that surgical treatment significantly reduced migraine frequency, intensity, and duration for 92% of patients. This led to a notable decrease in missed workdays from 4.4 to 1.2 days per month, saving employees approximately $6,687 annually.
A recent study published in the Journal of American Public Health found that African-Americans with higher body mass index (BMI) did not have significantly higher healthcare spending compared to those with lower BMIs. In contrast, white Americans and people under 35 with higher BMI had increased healthcare costs.
A study found that pharmaceutical sales representatives have limited influence on physician prescribing behavior, despite significant spending on detailing and free samples. Physicians rely on alternative sources of information, such as scientific papers and colleagues, which outweigh the persuasive power of sales representatives.
Researchers found that implementing a series of simple interventions, including education and safety checklists, significantly reduced catheter-related infections in an ICU setting. The interventions prevented over 40 infections and saved nearly $2 million in additional healthcare costs.
The study found that computer vignettes are more accurate than medical records in measuring physician performance, especially in assessing an individual doctor's strengths and weaknesses. Vignettes were shown to be effective in identifying areas of improvement for physicians within a clinic.
A new hysteroscopic sterilization technique has been shown to be less expensive than traditional laparoscopic tubal ligation, with patients typically leaving the hospital within an hour and recovering quickly. The method requires minimal sedation and no surgical incision, resulting in significant cost savings for patients.
Research by the American Heart Association found that overweight men spent $18.41 per month on coronary heart disease-related prescriptions, compared to $9.89 for normal-weight men. The study also showed a significant increase in costs for obese men due to various health issues such as high blood pressure and sleep apnea.
Researchers found that physical inactivity leads to higher medical costs, with heart disease being the most expensive outcome. The study estimated $83.6 million in medical expenditures related to physical inactivity among 1.5 million adult members of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota.
A new study suggests that cruise ship living could be an attractive option for seniors who enjoy travel and require some assistance with daily activities. The research found that cruise ship living results in higher quality care over a 20-year period, despite being $2,000 more expensive than traditional assisted living facilities.
Obese individuals have significantly higher one-year health care costs compared to nonobese counterparts. Prescription drugs and hospitalizations are key drivers of these increased costs. The study found obese patients had a median total healthcare cost of $585.44, while nonobese patients averaged $333.24.
The American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) is addressing concerns about unethical medical expert witnesses. The society has created a document that calls for expert witnesses to affirm their expertise and provide truthful testimony based on industry standards.
A new study by Georgetown University Medical Center reveals that functional endoscopic sinus surgery significantly improves fatigue levels in patients with sinusitis. The procedure has been shown to offer substantial benefits for those not responding to medications, with cost savings also a consideration.