The American Healthcare System

This chapter provides an overview of the American healthcare system in terms of cost, quality, access, and convenience. Problems that have resulted in an unsustainable, inefficient, oversized, fragmented, and provider-centric system are discussed. While cost of care per capita and as a percentage of the Gross Domestic Product is much higher than in other countries, quality of care measured in terms of life expectancy at birth, infant mortality rates, and preventable mortality rates is questionable. The U.S. is the only developed country that does not provide coverage to 99.9% of its citizens. A large number of uninsured patients are expected to receive coverage under various provisions of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care (PPACA), but many others will remain uninsured or underinsured. Moreover, problems in hospital emergency rooms such as overcrowding, long wait times, ambulance diversions, patient boarding, and patients leaving without being seen by a provider are addressed. The author predicts that these problems will only be exacerbated by the expected shortage of physicians and other primary care providers.

Author(s):  
Julia Gonzalez ◽  
Diana Carolina Andrade ◽  
JianLi Niu

Abstract Background Acute bacterial skin and skin structure infections (ABSSSIs) are common infectious diseases that cause a significant economic burden on the healthcare system. This study aimed to compare the cost-effectiveness of dalbavancin vs standard of care (SoC) in the treatment of ABSSSI in a community-based healthcare system. Methods This was a retrospective study of adult patients with ABSSSI treated with dalbavancin or SoC during a 27-month period. Patients were matched based on age and body mass index. The primary outcome was average net cost of care to the healthcare system per patient, calculated as the difference between reimbursement payments and the total cost to provide care to the patient. The secondary outcome was proportion of cases successfully treated, defined as no ABSSSI-related readmission within 30 days after the initiation of treatment. Results Of the 418 matched patients, 209 received SoC and 209 received dalbavancin. The average total cost of care per patient was greater with dalbavancin vs SoC ($4770 vs $2709, P < .0001). The average reimbursement per patient was $3084 with dalbavancin vs $2633 SoC (P = .527). The net cost, calculated as revenue minus total cost, was $1685 with dalbavancin vs $75 with SoC (P = .013). The overall treatment success rate was 74% with dalbavancin vs 85% with SoC (P = .004). Conclusions Dalbavancin was more costly than SoC for the treatment of ABSSSI, with a higher 30-day readmission rate. Dalbavancin does not offer an economic or efficacy advantage.


2019 ◽  
Vol 15 (3) ◽  
pp. 193-204 ◽  
Author(s):  
Harshal Kirane, MD ◽  
Elina Drits, DO ◽  
Seungjun Ahn, MS ◽  
Sandeep Kapoor, MD ◽  
Jonathan Morgenstern, PhD ◽  
...  

Objective: To assess provider practices and attitudes toward addiction care and pain management within a large healthcare system, as well as to determine the impact of prior training and perceived effectiveness of organizational implementation strategies. Design: A cross-sectional study.Setting: Large healthcare organization comprising 21 hospitals.Participants: Three hundred and thirteen healthcare providers within a large healthcare organization.Main outcome measures: Training, practices, and attitudes toward opioid-related care.Methods: One thousand providers including physicians (MD/DO) and physician extenders (NP/PA) were contacted via email request. The Mann-Whitney test or Fisher’s exact test, as appropriate, was used for comparisons of continuous and categorical variables, respectively.Results: Providers lacked prior pain management (36 percent), addiction (38 percent), or buprenorphine training (92 percent). Few providers were confident in treating opioid use disorders (OUD) (19 percent) and opioid tapering (24 percent) but interested in safe prescribing practices (81 percent). While most providers preferred to refer patients for OUD (89 percent), only a small portion felt appropriate services were readily available (22 percent). Trained providers appear significantly more engaged in checking Prescription Drug Monitoring Program database [median = 1 (Q1 = 1, Q3 = 2) vs 2(1, 3); p 0.001], comfortable obtaining urine drug screens [2(2, 3) vs 3(2, 4); p 0.002], and willing to treat OUD with additional support [3(2, 4) vs 4(3, 4); p 0.022] compared to non-trained providers. Primary care providers were more likely to view OUDs in their scope of practice [4(2, 5) vs 4(3, 5); p 0.016] and willing to treat OUD with additional support [3(2, 3) vs 3(2, 4); p 0.0007] compared to specialists. Buprenorphine providers appear to have more confidence in skills for OUD [2(1, 3) vs 4(3, 4); p 0.0001] and tapering [2(1, 2) vs 4(3, 5); p 0.0001], and diminished preference to refer [2(1, 5) vs 1(1, 2); p 0.0009] compared to non-buprenorphine providers.Conclusions: Providers within a large healthcare system lack training and confidence in management of opioid-related care. Buprenorphine training positively modified key attitudes toward addiction care, yet engagement in medication-assisted treatment remains limited. Providers are concerned about opioid risks, and view guideline implementation and direct input from addiction specialists as effective organizational strategies. Further research is needed to clarify the efficacy of such approaches.


2021 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  

Introduction: Enterobacter asburiae (E. asburiae) is a facultative anaerobic rarely isolated in neonatal care; the nosocomial infections continue to be a serious problem, associated with increased mortality rates, immediate and long-term morbidity, prolonged hospital stays, and increased cost of care, because of resistant of this specie. Objective: it’s un nosocomial infection of blood, that the first time it’s determined in neonatal hospitalization CHU Mohamed VI Marrakech. Observation: We report in this subject a case of a preterm baby had a septicemia secondary to enterobacter asburea it’s the first time this mirogerme founded in CHU, resulting from contaminated intravenous fluid hospitalized in neonatal care unit, in CHU Mohamed VI Marrakech Conclusion: the case reported in this work pushes us to deepen investigations concerning the resistance and the clinical evolution of the affected patients.


2016 ◽  
Vol 1 (3) ◽  
pp. 51
Author(s):  
Mokhtar Soheylizad ◽  
Kamyar Mansori ◽  
Erfan Ayubi ◽  
Ensiyeh Jenabi ◽  
Yousef Veisani ◽  
...  

Introduction: Liver cancer (LC) is one of the most common malignant tumors worldwide which have been a major public health challenge worldwide. This study aimed to identify the global effect of HDI in the incidence and mortality rates of liver LC. Material and Methods: Data about the incidence and mortality rate of LC for the year 2012 was obtained from the global cancer project for 172 countries. Data about the HDI and other indices were obtained for 169 countries from the United Nations Development Programme database in 2012. Linear regression models were used for assessment of the HDI effect on LC occurrence rates. Inequality in the age-specific incidence and mortality rates (ASR) of LC according to the HDI were assessed by using the concentration index.Results: Linear regression model showed that increasing of HDI had a negative effect on the increase in both incidence (B=-12.2, P=0.03) and mortality (B=-12.7, P=0.015) rates of LC. The mean of life expectancy at birth, mean years of schooling, GNI per capita, percent of urbanization, and age-standardized obesity had also a negative effect on increasing in both incidence and mortality rates.Conclusion: incidence and mortality rate of LC are significantly concentrated in regions with medium and low HDI. The negative relationship between LC incidence and mortality with HDI and its component can be considered as targets for prevention and treatment intervention or tracking geographic disparities.


Blood ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 132 (Supplement 1) ◽  
pp. 4773-4773
Author(s):  
Rachel Wong ◽  
Jason Tay

Abstract Background Multiple myeloma (MM) accounts for about 10% of hematologic malignancies, and the 5-year survival rate of patients diagnosed with multiple myeloma has increased by 14% over the past two decades with median survivals between 29-62 months. Improvements in survival has been attributable to improved therapeutics, representing a significant expenditure within the healthcare system. We seek to quantify the cost for caring for patients with MM from a third-party perspective. Methods We conducted a descriptive retrospective cohort costing study using administrative data from the Cancer Measurement Outcomes Research and Evaluations (C-MORE) at the Tom Baker Cancer Centre (TBCC). We identified incident cases of patients diagnosed with symptomatic multiple myeloma between 01 Jan 2002 and 31 Dec 2014. Demographic data were obtained together with their contact points with the healthcare system, including inpatient visits and lengths of stay, outpatient visits diagnostic and treatment visits, as well as medication usage. Using the Alberta Health Hospital Reciprocal Claim Guide and local pharmacy costs at TBCC, we assigned costs to health care utilization for incident cases of MM between our study period. Further, we stratified our data into 3 cohorts: 2002-2005, 2006-2010 and 2011-2014 to better appreciate secular trends. Results We identified 806 patients, but excluded 284 patients (35%) due to absence of data. The median duration of follow-up of the remaining cohort was 46 months (range 1-172). The median number of lines of therapy is 2 (range 1-8) with 32% overall enrolled in at least one clinical study. Table 1 details the cohort demographics with an overall survival (OS) of cohort of 55% (median survival of 81 months, 95% CI=68-94). The average cost of care per patient per year is $49,077, with $30,895, $46,333, $69,627 for Cohorts 1, 2 and 3 respectively. Chemotherapy (not including clinical trial medications) costs represents the largest cost-item. Conclusions Our study suggests that the survival of patients with MM diagnosed at the TBCC has improved consistent with the literature, but with an increasing cost of care. Despite incomplete administrative data from C-MORE, the current available data could help support health care Administrators better prioritize health care resources. Table 1. Table 1. Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.


2018 ◽  
Vol 2018 ◽  
pp. 1-6 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mustapha D. Ibrahim ◽  
Sahand Daneshvar

The inflow of refugees from Syria into Lebanon necessitates a robust and efficient healthcare system in Lebanon to withstand the growing demand for healthcare service. For this purpose, we evaluate the efficiency of healthcare system in Lebanon from 2000 through 2015 by applying a modified data envelopment analysis (DEA) model. We have selected four output variables: life expectancy at birth, maternal mortality ratio, infant mortality rate, and newly infected with HIV and two input variables: total health expenditure (% of GDP) and number of hospital beds. The findings of the paper show improvement in the efficiency of the healthcare system in Lebanon after the widespread of the health system reform in 2005. It also shows that reduction in health expenditure does not necessarily reduce efficiency if operational and technical aspect of the healthcare system is improved. The study infers that the healthcare system in Lebanon is capable of withstanding the increase in health demand provided further resources are made available and the existing technical and operational improvement are maintained.


2020 ◽  
Vol 49 (10) ◽  
pp. 756-763
Author(s):  
Tripti Singh ◽  
Clara LY Ngoh ◽  
Weng Kin Wong ◽  
Behram Ali Khan

Introduction: With the unprecedented challenges imposed on the modern healthcare system due to the COVID-19 pandemic, innovative solutions needed to be swiftly implemented to maintain clinical oversight on patient care. Telemedicine was introduced in Singapore in community-based haemodialysis (HD) centres to comply with the Ministry of Health’s directives on movement restriction of healthcare workers and related measures to minimise the spread of SARS-CoV-2 in healthcare facilities. Methods: We describe here our experience of 26 community haemodialysis centres in Singapore, analysing clinical audit data, as well as comparing hospitalisation and mortality rates as outcomes in the time frames of pre- and post-introduction of telemedicine. Results: We found that the hospitalisation rate was 13.9% (95% CI: 5.6%–21.5%, P<0.001) lower in the period after telemedicine rounds were introduced. The mortality rates per 100 person-years (95% CI) were 11.04 versus 7.99 in the compared groups, respectively, with no significant increase in mortality during the months when telemedicine was performed. Conclusion: Patients received appropriate care in a timely manner, with telemedicine implementation, and such measures did not lead to suboptimal healthcare outcomes. Telemedicine was a successful tool for physician oversight under movement control measures implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic and may continue to prove useful in the ‘new normal’ era of healthcare delivery for HD patients in community-based dialysis centres, operated by the National Kidney Foundation in Singapore. Keywords: Healthcare outcomes healthcare system, National Kidney Foundation, SARS-CoV2, telemedicine rounds


Author(s):  
Merav Ben Natan ◽  
Meir Oren

Israel's healthcare system is undergoing constant transformation; nurses' roles and education are changing accordingly. Israel's severe shortage of physicians has led to an increase in nurses' authority and responsibilities. The nursing profession is addressing many questions particularly in light of its expanded responsibilities and the current lack of legislation related to the practice of nursing. Additionally Israel is coping with an increasing shortage of nurses and the rapid development of innovative technologies. This article describes Israel's shifting reality and the nation's responses to these changing conditions. Responses include increasing financial support, enhancing educational opportunities, expanding the nursing role, and using new technologies.


2016 ◽  
Vol 30 (2) ◽  
pp. 29-52 ◽  
Author(s):  
Janet Currie ◽  
Hannes Schwandt

In this essay, we ask whether the distributions of life expectancy and mortality have become generally more unequal, as many seem to believe, and we report some good news. Focusing on groups of counties ranked by their poverty rates, we show that gains in life expectancy at birth have actually been relatively equally distributed between rich and poor areas. Analysts who have concluded that inequality in life expectancy is increasing have generally focused on life expectancy at age 40 to 50. This observation suggests that it is important to examine trends in mortality for younger and older ages separately. Turning to an analysis of age-specific mortality rates, we show that among adults age 50 and over, mortality has declined more quickly in richer areas than in poorer ones, resulting in increased inequality in mortality. This finding is consistent with previous research on the subject. However, among children, mortality has been falling more quickly in poorer areas with the result that inequality in mortality has fallen substantially over time. We also show that there have been stunning declines in mortality rates for African Americans between 1990 and 2010, especially for black men. Finally we offer some hypotheses about causes for the results we see, including a discussion of differential smoking patterns by age and socioeconomic status.


2017 ◽  
Vol 1 (02) ◽  
pp. E107-E116
Author(s):  
Michael Schroeter ◽  
Frank Erbguth ◽  
Reinhard Kiefer ◽  
Tobias Neumann-Haefelin ◽  
Christoph Redecker ◽  
...  

AbstractThe German Neurological Society has conducted a survey of the structure of neurological in-patient care every other year. The present survey covers the year 2015. With a response rate of 62% in mind, the questionnaire allowed meaningful comparisons to former surveys covering the years 2013 and 2011.Only a minority of departments maintains intensive care units of their own. In contrast, 24/7 presence of neurological physicians has become standard in interdisciplinary emergency rooms. Stroke management has made neurology increasingly involved in emergency care. Since 2015, thrombectomy has been recognized as state-of-the-art therapy for a subgroup of stroke patients, raising special demands for the availability of CT and MRI on a 24/7 basis. However, infrastructure did not improve as compared to former surveys.Number of beds, total procedures and average procedures per case proceeds (case mix, case mix index) has remained roughly unchanged. However, case numbers increased, and average length of stay robustly decreased within 2 years by 17% to 5.4 days.Staff structures were heterogeneous and were involved in various duties apart from inpatient care covered by the German Diagnosis-Related Groups (DRG) system. Departments did not succeed in differentiating expenditures related to the DRG system from other procedures. Shortage of nursing staff forced 22% of departments to temporally reduce services, 6% of departments did so because of a shortage of physicians, and in 2% of departments, both occurred. Departments were confident of certifications as means of quality management, and a few suggestions were provided for more meaningful parameters for outcome-oriented quality management in the future.


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