AllMed Healthcare Management Blog: 09/17/06
Sunday, September 17, 2006
One Trillion Dollars Of Healthcare Waste
http://www.pittsburghlive.com/
Half of all health care dollars spent -- $1 trillion -- is wasted on poor quality care, safety issues and a perverse incentive plan that rewards mistakes, a leading reformer said Wednesday.
"The problem with health care is that it has become unaffordable -- and passively or actively you, employers, have the system you paid for," said Robert Mecklinburg, whose 86-year-old Virginia Mason Medical Center in Seattle was forced earlier this decade to closely examine its operations when health insurer Aetna told the provider it was too expensive.
Mecklinburg, chief of medicine at Virginia Mason, spoke at the Pittsburgh Business Group on Health's seventh annual health care symposium at the Marriott Pittsburgh City Center Hotel, Downtown.
The only way for the health care system to be fixed is for employers, those paying the bill, to stand up and say "we're not paying," said Richard P. Shannon, chairman of Allegheny General Hospital's Department of Medicine.
Labels: healthcare costs
posted by Dr. Skip
URAC Summit To Be Held In San Diego
Health care management executives, quality leaders and medical professionals from across the nation will share innovative practices and address the evolving role of health care organizations at URAC's 7th Annual Quality Summit, Oct. 11-13 in San Diego. The Annual Summit attracts the country's industry pioneers and top thought leaders to examine issues at the forefront of quality and health care today.
The theme of the national Summit is "Discover New Ways to Focus on Quality." Through keynote speakers, expert panel discussions and breakout sessions, the Summit will focus attention on three critical topics in health care: consumer empowerment and protection; leadership in care coordination; and best practices in quality and accreditation initiatives.
"The consumer is taking on a more independent, responsible role in health care, and the corresponding role of health care management organizations is changing as well," said Alan P. Spielman, URAC's president and chief executive officer. "URAC's focus is to bring together the recognized leaders in quality health care to inspire ideas and lead in-depth discussion, so participants will walk away with solid business solutions that address issues in consumerism, care coordination and best practices in accreditation initiatives."
The rise of consumerism is attracting more emphasis in the health care environment. On day one of the Summit, URAC will host a general session panel discussion, led by nationally respected experts and leaders in health care to discuss the changing role of the consumer. The presentation, entitled "The Role of Consumerism in Redesigning Health Care Delivery," will offer insight from the perspectives of health plans, purchasers, and consumers. Panel speakers are Vicky Gregg, CEO, BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee; Arnold Milstein, MD, U.S. thought leader, Mercer Health & Benefits; and Grace-Marie Turner, president, Galen Institute.
"Consumerism as we know it today is going to change over time," Gregg said. "But as far as health plans are concerned, I think the two words that are going to be tied to consumerism, regardless of products and features that may be developed, are transparent and supportive."
Labels: healthcare plans, URAC
posted by Dr. Skip
Many South African Deaths Due To Hospital Negligence
The committee found that 1 059 of the total number of deaths for the period under review were "directly" avoidable. These preventable deaths were linked mainly to hypertension (331), postpartum haemorrhage (261), pregnancy-related sepsis (158) and antepartum haemorrhage (100). A further 91 deaths were "anaesthetic related".
'Aids is the leading killer of women - that is clear in the report'
At district hospitals, 53,8 percent of deaths were attributed to negligent health officials, while the proportion at regional and provincial hospitals was 48,3 percent and 36,5 percent respectively. These statistics related to 3 079 of the total number of deaths that were assessed for administrative problems.
Unsuccessful resuscitation accounted for 22,3 percent of deaths, while HIV and Aids accounted for 36 percent, or 1 226, of all deaths. It is important to note, however, that the HIV status of more than 1 800 mothers was not known.
A third of all deaths was attributed to "administrative factors" such as a lack of ambulances to transport women between hospitals (9,7 percent), a lack of appropriately trained staff (12,8 percent), insufficient intensive care beds or emergency laboratory services (11,2 percent) and inadequate supplies of blood for transfusions (9,2 percent).
posted by Dr. Skip
