ABSTRACT
The continued escalation in health care spending has caused money to become an increasingly limited resource, which may eventually affect the ability of health professionals to provide complete health care services. Health care payers have stressed efficiency and the appropriateness of health care measures and are putting greater financial pressures on health professionals by making them more accountable for services provided. Hospitals and physicians must take a more active role in monitoring health care delivery and work together to improve performance efficiency. Efficiency can be gained through a comprehensive program that emphasizes high-quality care and the effective use of health care resources. The Health Resource Management Program is a model for carrying out this function that integrates data analysis and physician input and education.
Subject(s)
Economics, Hospital , Health Resources/economics , Physician's Role , Delivery of Health Care/economics , Delivery of Health Care/standards , Statistics as TopicABSTRACT
In their attempts to control costs and increase net revenue, hospitals may overlook a key strategy: improved efficiency in delivering care. An analysis of each department's clinical and financial data, however, may provide only a rough framework for decreasing a hospital's expenses. focusing on areas of high resource consumption can yield the greatest benefit. Ultimately, communication between a hospital's administrators and its medical staff is the vital link in improving efficiency.
