Cost containment and quality: coexisting in total joint care.
National competitive and regulatory pressures are dramatically changing health care. Total joint care programs must redesign to meet these challenges. Multidisciplinary teams must review and refine care across the total joint care continuum, which covers preop through rehab. The six key areas of care on the continuum are preop teaching/testing, implants, care paths, special equipment, discharge and rehab, and documentation/coding. Each of these areas presents opportunities to develop strategies for enhanced efficiencies across the total joint care continuum. The goal is to maintain or improve quality of care while being cost effective.
Theis
L M
LM
Wausau Hospital, Wisconsin, USA.
D019643:Arthroplasty, Replacement / Q000191:economics* / Q000592:standards*; D003266:Continuity of Patient Care / Q000592:standards; D003363:Cost Control; D019091:Critical Pathways / Q000458:organization & administration; D017048:Health Care Costs; D006801:Humans; D009741:Nursing Staff, Hospital / Q000458:organization & administration; D016530:Orthopedic Nursing / Q000458:organization & administration; D010348:Patient Care Team / Q000458:organization & administration; D017749:Total Quality Management / Q000458:organization & administration*