Healthcare Benchmarks and Quality Improvement Archives – September 1, 2006
September 1, 2006
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Demonstration project claims $1 billion in potential savings
New data from Premier Inc.'s pay-for-performance demonstration project with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) indicate that improving the care of pneumonia and heart bypass patients alone can save as much as $1 billion a year, as well as thousands of lives. -
Project participants reaping the benefits
Facilities that are participating in the Premier/CMS demonstration project already are seeing the benefits in improved quality. -
Leapfrog Group, NJ Blues start recognition program
Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey (BCBSNJ), headquartered in Newark, in collaboration with The Leapfrog Group, in Washington, DC, has launched the Horizon BCBSNJ Hospital Recognition Program. -
Patients at this hospital have a 'ticket to ride'
A new program at Doctors Hospital in Coral Gables, FL, helps move patients seamlessly from one department or unit to another, helping address the challenging issue of handoffs. -
Facility uses Six Sigma to improve quality
New York-Presbyterian Hospital recently received top honors in two categories at the Global Six Sigma Summit and Industry Awards -- "Best Achievement of Six Sigma in Healthcare" (sponsored by CIGNA Corporation), and the Platinum Award for "The Most Outstanding Organizational Achievement through Six Sigma." -
'Learning Exchange' promotes staff awareness
A Six Sigma project involving four different departments was the impetus for a "Learning Exchange and Appreciation Program" (LEAP). -
Alliance seeks to improve cardiac care in hospitals
Twenty-nine leading health care organizations have joined forces to form an organization called the Alliance for Cardiac Care Excellence (ACE), whose goal is to ensure that all cardiac patients in the United States receive care consistent with nationally accepted standards. -
CMS releases final rule for FY 2007 IPPS
On August 1, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) issued a final rule regarding the hospital inpatient prospective payment system for FY 2007 that differs substantially from the proposed rule released earlier this year. -
Ripe job market for health information coding staff?
According to Kforce Professional Staffing, the national demand for health care labor coupled with the overhauling of the International Coding Directory (ICD) has created a market ready and waiting for coding professionals.