Health Care Delivery

Reducing inappropriate use of cardiac telemetry may improve the cost of care while maintaining patient safety.

Hospitals in more competitive markets had significantly lower costs per discharge for both Medicare and privately insured patients.

In "What Does the Affordable Care Act Actually Do?," presented by Ivor Douglas, MD, Associate Professor, University of Colorado Denver, Chief, Pulmonary Sciences and Critical Care Medicine Director, Medical Intensive Care, Denver Health Medical Center, at the ATS 2013 International Conference, Dr Douglas noted that fundamental issues driving the Affordable Care Act (ACA) include access, quality, and cost.

Colin Cooke, MD, MSc, Assistant Professor of Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, says that hospitals with higher readmission rates that treat patients with acute myocardial infarction, congestive heart failure, and pneumonia will be penalized due to healthcare reform.

The former nurse and hospital company executive, Marilyn Tavenner, has been confirmed as administrator for the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Tavenner has been serving as the interim administrator for the CMS since 2010. Her appointment, which has officially been vacant since Dr Mark B. McClellan stepped down in October 2006, came after much debate as to whether or not she should officially lead the organization.

Dramatic changes in medical payment and economics began with the passage of the Affordable Care Act in 2010. Cardiologists weighed in on how this law is expected to impact upon their treatment decisions and business economics.