Influenza vaccination rates in pregnant women and healthcare workers were increased with standing orders, vaccine advocates, and educational activities on influenza immunization.
This study utilizes a validated instrument to create case and control groups to measure the effect of the Veterans Health Administration (VHA)’s patient-centered medical home (PCMH) model on utilization patterns among veterans with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Disease management programs for diabetes can improve some processes of care, but they do not improve intermediate outcomes beyond doubt.
Enrollment in managed care among Medicaid enrollees presents challenges to classifying Medicaid coverage in cancer registries.
Introduction of drug-eluting stents resulted in improved clinical outcomes for patients and reduced overall procedural costs.
In 2001, Maryland began to reimburse hospitals for excess volume at full case rates. The authors investigated the impact on hospital utilization and finances.
Efficacy of switching statin therapy from generic simvastatin was examined in a VA population. Ezetimibe/simvastatin was more potent than atorvastatin or rosuvastatin in lowering LDL.
Analysis of spending differences among accountable care organizations (ACOs) may help identify cost savings opportunities. We examined the magnitude and sources of spending variation among ACOs over 4 years.
Creating a healthcare consumer is more likely than ever before thanks to innovations in information technology, but the benefits are not yet fully realized.
Many patients with cancer desire cost discussions with doctors, but those discussions are rare. Nevertheless, cost discussions may lower patient costs-usually without altering treatment.
For patients with symptomatic severe (>70%) carotid stenosis carotid endarterectomy is highly effective at reducing the risk of subsequent stroke; however few eligible Veterans appear to be receiving this procedure.
We found that, in 2008, variations across Texas in total spending and inpatient utilization are similar in Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas and Medicare.
Clinic wait times do not just affect overall patient satisfaction, but also specifically affect the perception of providers and the quality of care.
This study synthesized published evidence on Lynch syndrome screening and expanded that evidence to match the decision needs of internal decision makers.
A German-style fair value/pricing committee may be in the works for the United States. However, government payers still have work to do before implementing a value assessment system.
Educational outreach did not seem to be a promising strategy to promote preventive services use among patients who refused services recommended by their physician.
This article describes a study of an intervention to engage Medicare Part D beneficiaries in obtaining a comprehensive medication review.
The American Society of Clinical Oncology Quality Oncology Practice Initiative has grown to include 973 practices as of 2010. Practices demonstrated rates of end-of-life care and other measures of quality.
High-deductible health plan members with bipolar disorder experienced a reduction in nonpsychiatrist mental health provider visits but no changes in other utilization.