Does the higher cost of providing care actually mean better care? In more fiscally flush times, the knee-jerk among patients and providers would probably be a nod toward the affirmative. Today, in the wake of a reform fight which has placed front and center the once-mundane issue of healthcare delivery previously reserved for ivory tower wonkish types; this issue is as bread-and-butter essential to the American public as, say, enormous property tax increases.

Researchers, studying over 3000 hospitals over a two year period (2004-2006), put this question to the test when they compared Medicare beneficiaries who were treated for pneumonia and heart failure. Those treated for the latter condition at “lower-cost” hospitals fared better^[1] chronically with this diagnosis than those treated for the former — essentially calling into question the hypothesis that low-cost hospitals discharge patients earlier but have higher readmission rates (for certain diagnoses) and greater subsequent inpatient care costs. The implications of this trial — no major differences in outcomes between hospitals with longer patient stays and shorter ones — could be far-reaching when setting policy on Medicare reimbursements for acute patient care. | LINK (Study abstract only)

1. using 30-day mortality rates, readmission and six-month costs of inpatient care among two of the most common Medicare-covered inpatient diagnoses [↩]

Related Posts Within Doctor Pundit:

1. Study: Mentally Ill Medicaid Beneficiaries Faced Worse Clinical Outcomes Because of Medication Practices Access to quality patient care for the un- and underinsured...
2. Study: Elderly Facing Co-Pay Increases for Ambulatory Care More Often Hospitalized Higher copays mean a higher incidence of unnecessary acute care...
3. Study: Simple Access to Primary Care Doesn’t Necessarily Mean Better Health A new study provides some insight into just where the...
4. Some Maryland Hospitals Innovate with Their Own Brand of Care Coordination in Controlling Costs Medical necessity is a term that physicians once could claim...
5. Study: Hospital Discharge of Medicare Beneficiaries Increased Utilization Rates and Spending Post Discharge An observational trial published in the latest issue of Annals...