Articles tagged with Health Care Costs
A Dartmouth-VA study found that for-profit hospital ownership is associated with higher per capita Medicare spending and faster spending growth compared to non-profit hospitals. The analysis controlled for various factors that might influence health care costs.
A study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association found that comprehensive discharge planning and home follow-up by advanced practice nurses can significantly reduce hospital readmission rates and Medicare costs. The study involved 363 elderly patients at high risk for poor outcomes after hospital discharge, who rece...
The study found that the costs of treating patients in clinical trials were modestly higher than for those who opted for standard treatment, with an average total cost of $46,424. The authors recommend payment for patients' treatment in National Cancer Institute-approved clinical trials to improve access and patient outcomes.
A University of Iowa researcher found that fast-tracking can decrease staffing costs for hospitals with hourly-paid staff, but not those with set salaries. The approach allows patients to wake up quickly, reducing recovery room time and increasing productivity for hospital staff.
A recent study by Ohio State University researchers found that boys circumcised in a doctor's office fare equally well as those circumcised in a hospital operating room. The cost savings of having the procedure done in an office setting were estimated at $1,609 per procedure, resulting in an annual savings of $184,713.
A CDC pilot study developed an integer programming model to optimize vaccine selection and procurement, potentially saving millions of dollars in health care costs. The study examined the economic value of combining vaccines and identified opportunities for reducing medical staff time and storage costs.
A pilot study found that patient costs for care using perfusion imaging were almost half that of conventional treatment, with a threefold reduction in total hospital stay. This strategy can give emergency room physicians greater confidence in their decision-making, while also identifying patients who need further treatment.
Researchers have successfully tested an implantable device called Atrioverter to treat atrial fibrillation, a condition that can lead to stroke. The device restored normal rhythm in 96% of treated individuals, offering a new treatment option for those prone to irregular heartbeats.
A Northwestern University study found that individuals with low cardiovascular disease risk factors during young adulthood and middle age had significantly lower annual Medicare charges, with men experiencing a 30% reduction ($1,600 less) and women experiencing a 50% reduction ($1,800 less). The results suggest that preventing major ca...
A new study published in The Journal of Trauma shows that California's motorcycle helmet law has saved the state $35 million, primarily through reduced head injuries and medical costs. The study found a 48% decrease in motorcyclists hospitalized for head injuries between 1991 and 1993.
A new UC San Francisco study found that hospitalists may reduce hospital stays and costs without compromising quality or teaching. Patients managed by hospitalists stayed an average of 4.3 days at $7,007 compared to 4.9 days at $7,777 under traditional care.
A slowdown in health spending growth is expected to have a significant impact on health workers and local economies. The shift in job composition within the health sector, towards lower-paying sub-sectors and jobs such as home health services, will exacerbate the issue.
Researchers found that treating acute ischemic stroke patients with t-PA can result in a substantial net cost savings due to shorter hospital stays and decreased long-term disabilities. This treatment also improves patient outcomes and quality of life.
Smoking-related Medicaid costs amount to $12.9 billion per year, totaling $322 billion over 25 years without inflation. The analysis provides a solid foundation for financial claims against the tobacco industry.
Researchers predict a significant rise in stroke cases in the US, with 1 million Americans expected to experience their first-ever stroke each year by 2050. This surge is largely attributed to an aging population, which will drive an increase of 167% among men and 140% among women.
Acute stroke teams are becoming increasingly common, with over half costing $5,000 per year or less. The teams, led by neurologists or neurosurgeons, have been shown to improve the use of hyperacute therapies and treat strokes more effectively.
Studies of over 25,000 Emory angioplasty and coronary bypass patients reveal significant improvements in patient outcomes, including shorter hospital stays and decreased mortality rates. Hospital costs also decreased by 30% between 1988 and 1996, with a notable reduction in the last two years.
Researchers found that using rapid diagnostic methods for M. tuberculosis can decrease diagnosis time from 38.5 to 23 days, time to therapy from 6.6 to 2.0 days, and mortality by 22-33%. This also reduces healthcare costs per patient.
A new study found that prophylactic surgery can prolong life expectancy by approximately 8.5 years, but at a significant impact on quality of life. The study also concluded that prophylactic surgery is cost-effective compared to cancer treatments.
A new study found that TPA significantly improves functional outcomes in stroke patients, reducing hospitalization costs by $2 million and nursing home care costs by $4.8 million. The study suggests that using TPA results in a net cost savings of almost $5 million to the healthcare system for every 1,000 ischemic stroke patients treated.
A Johns Hopkins study found that parathyroid gland surgery is more successful and less expensive at academic medical centers with specialized facilities and experienced surgeons. The results showed a cure rate of 97% at high-volume centers compared to 80% at lower-volume hospitals.
A cost-effectiveness analysis suggests that over-the-counter antibiotic treatment for urinary tract infections (UTI) would not be cost-effective in the long run. The study found that the benefits of reduced symptom days would be offset by an increase in treatment costs and potentially lead to increased antibiotic resistance.
Research reveals regional differences in US heart attack treatment, with the West Coast showing a balanced approach to resource utilization. The study found that patients in the Pacific states had lower costs for year-long care, while those in New England and Mid-Atlantic states stayed in hospital longer.
A new virtual screening test for colon cancer uses spiral CT scans to build a three-dimensional image of the entire colon. This non-invasive test is more comfortable, convenient, and less expensive than traditional colonoscopy, which can help prevent colon cancer by detecting polyps early.