Five steps to cost savings: adjusting ventilator humidification protocols.
Given the current U.S. economy, hospitals are forced to cut expenses. However, these initiatives should not compromise patient safety. William Beaumont Hospital's respiratory care and clinical engineering departments identified a possible cost savings opportunity, which involved adjusting their ventilator humidification techniques. Five steps describe the methodological approach that the departments followed to develop a cost-savings model and to maintain patient safety standards.
Gebara
Rani
R
Department of Clinical Engineering & Technology Management, Beaumont Services Company, 3601 W Thirteen Mile Rd, Royal Oak, MI 48073-6769, USA.
Najarian
Kim
K
Wagner
J Michael
JM
Narla
Vinod
V
D017046:Cost Savings / Q000379:methods* / Q000639:trends; D006801:Humans; D006813:Humidity / Q000517:prevention & control*; D008824:Michigan; D019982:Organizational Case Studies; D012121:Respiration, Artificial / Q000295:instrumentation*; D012449:Safety; D014193:Trauma Centers / Q000191:economics*