Successfully implementing a multihospital cost system.

Addressing the problems of developing a cost accounting system for a multihospital system is never an easy task. Basically, these systems need to have cost data easily accessible to all managers of all institutions in the healthcare system. The need for accurate, cost-effective, and controlled data is necessary to maintain the competitive edge required for organizational success.

Hospital cost accounting: implementing the system successfully.

To successfully implement a cost accounting system, certain key steps should be undertaken. These steps include developing and installing software; developing cost center budgets and inter-cost center allocations; developing service item standard costs; generating cost center level and patient level standard cost reports and reconciling these costs to actual costs; generating product line profitability reports and reconciling these reports to the financial statements; and providing ad hoc reporting capabilities. By following these steps, potential problems in the implementation process can be anticipated and avoided.

Hospital cost accounting: finding the software solution.

If hospital managers can clearly define the functions, features, and techniques required of a software package, carefully evaluate the capabilities of the various packages available, and use an organized approach for selecting a software package, they can more effectively choose cost accounting software that best fits the hospital's individual needs.

The changing role of hospital prices: a framework for pricing in a competitive environment.

The increasing price sensitivity of the health service marketplace makes appropriate a review of hospital pricing methodology. A new framework for pricing can help managers maintain a competitive market position as well as stimulate the development and articulation of policy and facilitate internal managerial control.