Quality Improvement Programs Archives - Page 9 of 11

9 Criticisms to the Readmission Reduction Program

2017-04-02T13:28:37-04:00By BHM Marketing|Clinical Analysis, Compliance, Financial Analysis, Health Care Reform, Health Insurance, Medicare and Medicaid, Quality Improvement Programs, Readmissions, Services|

The Readmission Reduction Program is designed to reduce healthcare spending while improving quality. There are both proponents and opponents of the program. Let’s delve into the improvements that could be made to the current system. So, as most of you are aware, CMS under the direction of HHS created the Hospital Readmission Reduction Program in order to reduce healthcare spending while improving the quality of care. The program is being phased in beginning with a 3 year baseline period in which hospitals were required to report all readmissions (within 30 days). CMS assessed and analyzed all of the available readmission data to determine how penalties should be assessed, for which conditions, and excluding certain circumstances. Beginning in October 2012, penalties were assessed to over 2,200 hospitals, equating to about $280 million. The phase in included an increase in penalties from 2013 to 2015 from 1% to 3%, where it is currently capped. Initially, there were 3 conditions included: Acute Myocardial Infarction, Heart Failure, and Pneumonia. For 2015, CMS is proposing 2 additional conditions: Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease and Elective Hip and Knee Replacements.

The Triple Aim, Explained.

2017-04-02T13:28:38-04:00By BHM Marketing|Financial Analysis, Health Care Reform, Quality Improvement Programs|

With hospitals moving toward a value-based payment system there is more demand now than ever for strategies that will help healthcare systems hone in on population health. The Triple Aim, an initiative set forth by the Institute for Healthcare Improvement, covers three main checkpoints for all hospitals as they make this transition.

Risk Management 101 | Types of Risk

2017-04-02T13:28:39-04:00By BHM Marketing|Organizational Analysis, Quality Improvement Programs, Services|

Before we can even begin to talk about mitigating risk, we have to know the types of risk out there. Risk Management is an integral part of any healthcare system.

5 Healthcare IT Risks in 2014

2017-04-02T13:28:39-04:00By BHM Marketing|Healthcare Preventitive Care, Quality Improvement Programs, Services|

In the last few decades, increasing availability of technology in healthcare has lead to some amazing advances, both for physicians and patients. Documentation for physicians is well on its way to becoming more streamlined, thanks to the interconnectivity of electronic health records, and the potential for "One patient, one record" only becomes more of a reality with each new innovation.

Benefits of ACOs to Both Patients and Providers

2024-06-26T10:44:51-04:00By BHM Marketing|Care Coordination, Financial Analysis, Health Care Reform, Health Insurance, PCHCH Accreditation, Physician Compensation, Quality Improvement Programs, Services|

Summary: Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs) are gaining in popularity as a result of the Affordable Care Act. Have you considered the benefits of ACOs from both the patient and provider perspectives? One of the goals of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) is to provide coordinated care which, in turn, increases quality and efficiency within the healthcare field, and reduces costs. ACOs – What is an ACO? ACOs are groups of providers which form an organization based upon the Medical Home (or PCMH) concept. The Medical Home places responsibility for the coordination of care with the primary physician. The primary care physician coordinates with other physicians and providers such as specialty physicians, laboratories and diagnostic imaging, providing a central point for the patient’s medical information.

Hospital Acquired Infections: The Diagnosis That Could Have You Paying an Extra $40,000 Per Patient

2017-04-02T13:28:41-04:00By BHM Marketing|Clinical Operations Improvement, Financial, Healthcare Preventitive Care, Quality Improvement Programs, Services|

Hospital Acquired Infections (HAIs) occur when a patient is exposed to a bacterium, virus or fungi during their hospital stay that leads to an additional condition. These additional conditions can cost hospitals thousands of dollars in lost revenue.

Patient-Centered Focus Increases Revenue

2017-04-02T13:28:41-04:00By BHM Marketing|Care Coordination, Financial, Medicare and Medicaid, Quality Improvement Programs, Readmissions, Services|

A patient-centered focus will provide optimal care for the patient which will in turn drive revenue. Do you remember the movie “Field of Dreams”? The basic premise was if you build a stadium they will come. We can adapt this adage to healthcare as well. So many organizations become so focused on the bottom line and don’t realize that if patients aren’t satisfied, they will not return to your facility, they will relay their bad experience to all of their friends, and you will lose revenue.