A Journal of the American Medical Association article, based on work sponsored by AHRQ, reviews the off-label use of atypical antipsychotics, which are usually very expensive and have significant side effects. While there are occasional benefits to such use, adverse events are common, particularly in the elderly.
An EBRI survey reveals current attitudes by Americans regarding the health system, their health care coverage, how they access care and reflects serious concerns by many Americans about whether the reform law will make the system, better or worse.
The leaves fall but not the quality of our Potpourri, this week covering beneficiaries’ use of Medicare Star ratings, quality of care guidelines and older patients, compassionate care, asthma care guidelines and outcomes, infection control in hospitals and informal caregivers in California.
The effect of telehealth tools on the health spending of Medicare beneficiaries with chronic disease has been controversial, with a number of studies finding no or very limited savings. New research published in Health Affairs suggests that at least one such tool may contribute to savings in a care management program for common chronic diseases.
End-of-life care is a significant contributor to overall health expenditures. New research in the Journal of the American Medical Association probes the effect of advance directives on end-of-life spending, with a particular focus on geographic variations both in the use of directives and care.
Increasingly hospitals are being judged on their “quality” based on process and outcome measures and on their cost. New research examines the characteristics of hospitals which fall in various quartiles based on quality and costs, finding that many hospitals serving poorer patients are judged low quality and high cost, but whether those hospitals are being fairly evaluated is an open question.
A new paper discusses the state of shared decision-making, illuminating progress and barriers to use by patients and providers. This approach results in higher-quality care, because it is consistent with patient values and with truly informed patient consent and it may also help reduce spending.
The Pharmacy Benefit Management Institute releases its most recent survey on prescription drug benefit design and cost issues. While drug spending growth has moderated, the size of the category means it still draws attention and employers and payers continue to refine their strategies for keeping utilization and cost under control.
October already!! Our 39th Potpourri of the year has many autumnal pleasures including selections on CMS’ Comprehensive Primary Care Initiative, a proposed guidance for FDA to use for mHealth regulation, end-of-life care discussions, CMS’ multi-payer database award, expected 2012 medical trend, and delivery of unnecessary care by doctors.
The Healthy Skeptic is a website about the health care system, and is written by Kevin Roche, who has many years of experience working in the health industry. Mr. Roche is available to assist health care companies through consulting arrangements through Roche Consulting, LLC and may be reached at [email protected].
© 2024 Healthy Skeptic.
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