Actions Taken By Hospitals to Improve Quality and Lower Costs

On June 2 of this year, the New York Times reported that many hospitals are successfully improving their overall quality, and surprisingly still managing to reduce their costs.  The article gives examples of several health care facilities who are learning how to master their short comings by finding efficient solutions.  For instance, at the Virginia Mason Medical Center, a facility previously recognized for its costly services, has  reduced the usage of allergy related CT scans by 27 percent and headache related MRI scans by 23 percent.  This was simply because of a newly enacted regulation within the hospital which required all providers to enter appropriate explanations for requesting scans for each patient in the computer.  It obviously forced providers to think twice before issuing a costly test without sufficient reasoning.   The Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center now heavily relies on computer technology to regulate their bed capacity, which is working to reduce current costs.  There are many other hospitals who are working together to find ways to improve their medical facilities individually, and our health care system as a whole.  The article also mentions that health insurers are beginning to shift their focus to quality by basing the funds allocated to health providers on quality of service instead of the number of patients the health professional can see in a specified amount of time.

This article was certainly a glimpse of hope in this seemingly never ending dilemma of finding both quality and low costs.  There is no question that Americans need better access to health services.  It is baffling to think that numerous U.S. citizens are fearful of their future because of our health care system's lack of stability.  Although these different health institutions have proven that it is possible to improve on all levels, this progress did not come without hard work and dedication.  Other health care facilities need to follow suit and  implement regulations that ensure accountability.  All health professionals must be properly informed that careless mistakes, ordering unnecessary tests in excess, and failing to provide the utmost in quality to each patient, simply will not be tolerated.  The consistent reinforcement of these policies will undoubtedly help to sustain positive results.  Requiring health professionals to take their time and think before they make decisions is critical in the health care field.

We certainly have a long road ahead of us.  However, if more hospitals will take a few days each month to brainstorm, provide quality care workshops for employees, and cut out unnecessary spending, we will begin to see continuing progress.  Learning how to effectively communicate with health professionals and patients is vital and will only lead to a more positive outcome and hopeful future.

Reference:

Treating you better for less. New York Times . Retrieved from http://www.nytimes.com/2012/06/03/opinion/sunday/treating-you-better-for-less.html