Articles tagged with Financial Services
Researchers found Medicare heart attack expenses increased by 16.5% overall, with significant growth in post-hospital care costs, including skilled nursing facilities and outpatient care. Mortality rates declined from 36% to 31.7% during this period.
A study published in Radiology found that patients referred by physicians with financial interest in imaging equipment were more likely to receive negative findings on knee MRI exams. This suggests that financial incentives may drive overuse of high-tech imaging, contributing to escalating medical costs.
A new pocket-sized sensor can instantly measure acetone levels in exhaled breath to gauge fat burning progress. Developed for individualized dieting programs, the device is a practical alternative to standard methods, enabling users to monitor their own fat metabolism at home or outside.
The NHS is facing a deepening financial crisis, with the BMA warning that efficiency savings may need to reach £24.25bn by 2016. The head of health policy at the BMA believes this would require drastic measures, including 'pay and staffing levels to be decimated', making the service unviable.
Using grocery delivery services can significantly reduce carbon dioxide emissions, with trucks producing 20-75% less CO2 than personal vehicles driven to and from stores. Clustering customers together also leads to significant savings for companies, with up to 90% less emissions.
A study by Michigan State University criminologist Thomas Holt reveals a sophisticated online marketplace for stolen credit data, where reputations drive sales and feedback helps weed out untrustworthy sellers. The network, similar to eBay or Amazon, uses web forums and electronic payments to facilitate transactions.
The report finds that most health centers provide some form of family planning services, but only a quarter offer comprehensive access to contraceptive methods. Recommendations include investing in clinical quality improvement and partnerships with Title X programs to reach underserved populations.
A study found that consumers are willing to pay more for faster service with delayed installation and prefer riskier investments with higher expected returns when compared to safe options. This preference reversal highlights the importance of product comparison in consumer decision-making.
A new study suggests that smartphone apps can offer consistent and personalized recommendations to customers, every time and everywhere they go. This is achieved through automated systems and applications that capture both explicit and implicit feedback from customers.
A recent study published in the journal Organization argues that the private security industry lacks transparency and accountability, leading to hidden costs of war. The industry's global worth is estimated to be billions of pounds, yet its activities are often shrouded in secrecy, hindering public debate.
A new study finds that consumers respond positively to free products and services, leading to increased demand and higher revenue for businesses. The research, published in the Journal of Marketing Research, shows that switching from a two-part plan to a three-part plan can increase revenue by up to 19.7%.
A study found that mental health parity reduced total and out-of-pocket spending for patients with major depression, bipolar disorder, and adjustment disorder. Despite no significant change in service utilization, individuals with more severe illnesses experienced lower expenses due to the policy.
A study reveals that radiotherapy services are insufficiently equipped in 10 European countries to meet the growing demand for treatment, with Nordic countries and Belgium being well-equipped. The authors suggest further investigation into optimizing efficiency to address fragmentation of radiotherapy services.
A study by Lauren A. Rivera found that employers at elite professional service firms value shared culture and personal connections over superior cognitive or technical skills. This can lead to inequalities in access to jobs based on parental socioeconomic status.
A 12-year analysis of Mexican banking data shows that cities and villages with higher credit-to-savings ratios have better quality of life and more educated citizens. The data also reveal that non-banking institutions play a crucial role in rural areas, offering financial services to populations with lower education levels.
Researchers suggest designing cost-sharing strategies in line with evidence-based screening guidelines to reduce expenditures. They also recommend improving communication about the risks and benefits of treatment, as well as changes to financial incentives for physicians.
A recent study suggests that funding agencies should focus on providing a stable blood supply in sub-Saharan Africa. The authors argue that current policies and practices are not suitable for the region's emergency blood transfusion needs. This could lead to long-term reliance on external funding, making services unaffordable.
Naylor's work has consistently shown that transitional care significantly decreases hospital re-admissions and healthcare costs. Her research demonstrates the effectiveness of nurse-led transition teams in improving functional status, quality of life, and patient satisfaction.
Researchers found that consumers perceive greater risk when prices involve non-monetary costs, such as time or information privacy. Businesses must strike a risk balance when combining different pricing structures.
A task force report calls for routine osteoporosis testing and medication treatment for all adults over 50 who experience a fracture, with the goal of reducing hip fractures by 20% by 2020. Fracture liaison services have been shown to significantly improve follow-up assessment and treatment, reducing repeat occurrences.
A recent study by George Washington University School of Nursing found that three ACA provisions have inadequate addressed the needs of elderly Americans receiving long-term services and supports. The research highlights the potential for unintended consequences, including poor outcomes, if these provisions are not retooled.
A systematic review found that private healthcare is not superior to the public sector in terms of efficiency, accountability, or effectiveness. The public sector often lacks timeliness and hospitality, while both sectors have financial barriers to care.
A new method to measure IT quality has been proposed by researchers at the University at Buffalo School of Management. The Quality Distinction (QD) Capability Model offers a more reliable understanding of IT capabilities by acknowledging the importance of regularly evaluating and adapting development and delivery processes.
The study found a substantial increase in the use of anesthesia services for gastrointestinal endoscopies, with most procedures performed on low-risk patients. Regional variation in anesthesia use was also observed, with higher rates in the Northeast region.
A new policy report from Rice University's Baker Institute warns that India's economic slowdown is due to its failure to implement necessary reforms. The report highlights the need for fiscal discipline, tax reform, governance initiatives, and other measures to boost growth.
Researchers developed a new method using GIS to determine optimal emergency vehicle station locations, improving ambulance response time. The study found that distributing vehicles over 82 potential locations gave 87% of the population service in less than 8 minutes.
Research shows that better mental health services and safer hospital environments lead to a significant reduction in suicides among specific patient groups. The study's findings are based on data from 12,881 suicides in 91 mental health services between 1997 and 2006.
The University of Louisville Health Sciences Center's Area Health Education Centers (AHECs) have a significant economic impact on the western half of Kentucky, with a value of over $5.7 million. The AHECs provide donated services and training to healthcare professionals in underserved areas, improving the lives of those in need.
The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation announced the winners of its 2011 Community Health Leaders Award, recognizing 10 individuals who are improving the health and quality of life for disadvantaged communities. The recipients include Jamie Boyd, Naomi Cottoms, Lisanne Finston, Zane Gates, and others, who have overcome daunting odds to pro...
A study by Arizona State University experts warns that some payment mechanisms for ecosystem services can be detrimental to the environment. The report highlights the need for carefully designed payment schemes to track changes in publicly owned environmental assets, similar to tracking economic indicators like GDP.
Human rights violations against people with mental and psychosocial disabilities are pervasive in low-income and middle-income countries due to stigma and discrimination. The authors advocate adopting the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities framework and implementing evidence-based strategies to prevent these viola...
A UBC study found that women who leave violent partners incur an estimated $13,162 in annual costs across health and non-health sectors. The research also highlights the need for better coordination of responses to integrate health, social services, justice, education, and corporate sectors.
Tens of billions committed globally to improve the health of women and children, with over $11 billion from poorest countries. The Every Woman, Every Child effort aims to reduce death tolls and improve health outcomes through policy and service delivery commitments.
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 study by Penn State economists found that locally owned small businesses generate higher incomes for community members and provide long-term economic growth. In contrast, large, nonlocal firms can depress local economies. The researchers analyzed data from 2,953 US counties to support their findings.
A study in PLoS Medicine found significant improvements in Afghanistan's health care services between 2004 and 2008, particularly in capacity and delivery of care. However, the authors warn that security issues threaten progress and the likelihood of Afghanistan emerging from its fragile status.
Penn State researchers found that hospitals focusing on improving operational efficiency can achieve better patient satisfaction scores without increasing spending. A balanced value equation is key to driving better performers.
A pilot program in Baltimore City identified frequent 911 callers and paired them with case workers, reducing calls by nearly half while improving access to care. The study found significant savings and benefits for participants, highlighting the potential for targeted interventions to improve EMS efficiency.
A new evidence-based model of geriatric care management, GRACE, optimizes the health and functional status of community-dwelling lower-income older adults. GRACE improves health and quality of life, decreases emergency department visits and hospital admission rates.
The UK is experiencing a resurgence of tuberculosis, with London accounting for over 40% of all TB cases. The disease is concentrated in high-risk groups, including migrants, homeless people, and prisoners. Experts call for urgent recommendations to be implemented to control the spread.
The World Health Report 2010 identifies inefficiencies in healthcare systems, wasting 20-40% of expenditure, and recommends reducing reliance on out-of-pocket payments for healthcare. The report also acknowledges the challenges in implementing healthcare reform and managing chronic diseases.
The Partnership for Maternal, Newborn & Child Health has secured over $40 billion in commitments to improve maternal and child health, with key stakeholders meeting in Delhi to promote accountability. The Global Strategy for Women's and Children's Health has been instrumental in mobilizing these funds.
A growing burden of chronic disease threatens low-income and middle-income countries; weak national health systems hinder effective interventions. Strengthening health systems can improve responses to chronic diseases, benefiting other health services as well.
A University of Michigan concept for value-based insurance design is featured in a thematic cluster of papers in the November issue of Health Affairs. The approach focuses on removing barriers to high-value services and aims to improve patient outcomes while reducing healthcare costs.
The CLASS Act has the potential to transform long-term care financing in the US by introducing a voluntary, federally administered insurance program. This program would provide middle-class Americans with the choice to plan ahead for personal care and supportive service needs.
A study by Gail McGuire found that women are disadvantaged in informal networks developed at work, which can hinder future career goals. Women receive more social support from female colleagues, but this has limited career pay-off.
A study analyzed data on surgical care improvement measures and found that when considered as a composite infection-prevention score, these measures were associated with lower probabilities of postoperative infection. However, adherence to individual measures was not significantly linked to reduced risk of infection. The study suggests...
The new ID card features an RFID chip, cryptography, and a six-digit PIN for secure access to personal data. It enables citizens to validate their identity online and use the eID function for various services like banking and shopping, promoting confidence in digital transactions.
A recent study by George Mason University researchers found that physicians do not provide more services to Medicare patients due to lower Medicare fees. Instead, the study reveals that profitable services are provided more often and less profitable services less often.
A recent study by Feeding America found a 133% increase in the number of people served by emergency food programs in Eastern Illinois, including 33,198 children. University of Illinois faculty, such as Craig Gundersen, are involved in evaluating these programs and examining innovative initiatives like the BackPack Program.
A new report from the Center for Services Leadership provides valuable insights on how top companies deliver exceptional customer service. Key findings include the importance of services in driving economies and the need for businesses to focus on creating and delivering customer-centric service solutions.
A University of Illinois economist suggests reducing mail delivery to five days a week could help the USPS recover from financial losses. However, this move might also lead to a loss of lucrative business customers who rely on frequent deliveries for advertisements and promotions.
A RAND Corporation study identifies key issues in designing episode-based payment approaches, including defining episodes of care and identifying accountable providers. The research highlights the need for more rapid testing of these strategies to address challenges such as multiple chronic conditions and varying provider settings.
Between 1995 and 2006, the death rate for Medicare patients hospitalized for a heart attack decreased from 18.9% to 16.1%, with a significant reduction in between-hospital variation in mortality rates. The study found that hospitals made progress in reducing short-term mortality rates for acute myocardial infarction.
Global health initiatives have improved service delivery, financing, and governance in poorer countries, but with room for improvement. The report highlights the need to strengthen health systems, generate more reliable data, and increase national and global health financing.
Researchers found that people are more likely to buy Extended Service Contracts for hedonic products like game controllers, which hold value due to the pain of potential loss. Price promotions also play a role, with low-income consumers more likely to purchase ESCs as they cannot afford replacements.
According to a new study, nearly 952,000 California adults seek medical, dental, or prescription services in Mexico each year. The primary reasons for this trend include cost and lack of insurance.
In a first-of-its-kind study, Americans ranked access to care as their top priority when considering spending their own money on health products and services. Respondents also showed a preference for preventive healthcare services but were dissatisfied with their quality.
The 2008 financial crisis has radically transformed the business information landscape, with senior information managers seeking to add value and manage costs. The survey found that companies are pushing for more strategic management of their information services, with a focus on appraising how to add value and managing vendors.
Research reveals complementary paths to successful microfinance industry expansion, embracing both nonprofit and commercial options. Commercial banks and social businesses have benefits and limitations, with average loan sizes varying significantly.