Spurred by government funds and regulations, the medical world is rushing to implement electronic records and other functionality. The consequences may not always be great, as a recent study suggests.
There has been a major push to expand measurement of provider quality, as defined by process of care and outcomes. A study suggests that having good quality doesn’t necessarily mean patients will be more satisfied.
Enthusiasm abounds regarding new forms of physician encounters, such as phone, email and video visits. A pilot study from the Mayo Clinic suggests that such visits may reduce in-person encounters and save money.
Uwe Reinhardt is one of the wise old men of health care economics and policy. The New York Times has a recent blog column by him in which he reviews the perennial issues blocking real change in regard to health cost control.
Hospitals and other providers often use group purchasing organizations to facilitate obtaining goods and services at better prices and other terms. A GAO report looks at some of the business practices of these organizations.
The days shorten but the potpourri stays strong, this week including information on the safety of FDA-cleared devices; medication adherence; genetic tests; the FDA and CMS working together to review products; state all-payer databases and the increasing control of physician practices by hospital systems.
A Congressional Budget Office Report finds that Medicare Part D and its beneficiaries have accrued very significant savings, about 55%, from use of generic drugs and that more savings may be available in the near future.
Two recent publications explore the potential of widespread use of the medical home concept to create better primary care and coordination of overall care for patients, and examine barriers and challenges for adoption.
A study published in the New England Journal of Medicine gives heart to supporters of telephone-based care management programs. Largely because of reduced hospitalizations, patients in the intervention arm had lower monthly medical costs, for a modest price.
Telemedicine is being applied to many diseases and conditions and telemonitoring is spreading as a core component of self-management of health and a method to ensure greater continuity of care. A survey of studies on telemonitoring for hypertension finds improved outcomes.