Researchers at Medstar Health and Georgetown University School of Medicine in Washington, D.C., lowered costs without sacrificing quality in preventing deep vein thrombosis in surgical patients by using value-based analysis to isolate best practices, according to a study published in the Journal of the American College of Surgeons.
Using value-based analysis, which simultaneously addresses cost and quality, the researchers determined a best practice of both limiting the use of sequential compression devices to outpatient and short-stay procedures, and changing the protocol for pharmacological management for DVT prophylaxis by using unfractionated heparin instead of low-molecular-weight heparin.
After four hospitals within MedHealth were converted to the new best practice, the system saw an estimated $4 million in savings.
"Our goal was to create the appropriate methodology to improve value, which is really what the [Patient Protection and] Affordable Care Act of 2012 is all about: how to improve value and outcome without compromising level of care," said lead study author John R. Kirkpatrick, MD, MBA, FACS, professor of surgery at Georgetown University School of Medicine and director of The Surgical Advisory Group, in a news release.
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Using value-based analysis, which simultaneously addresses cost and quality, the researchers determined a best practice of both limiting the use of sequential compression devices to outpatient and short-stay procedures, and changing the protocol for pharmacological management for DVT prophylaxis by using unfractionated heparin instead of low-molecular-weight heparin.
After four hospitals within MedHealth were converted to the new best practice, the system saw an estimated $4 million in savings.
"Our goal was to create the appropriate methodology to improve value, which is really what the [Patient Protection and] Affordable Care Act of 2012 is all about: how to improve value and outcome without compromising level of care," said lead study author John R. Kirkpatrick, MD, MBA, FACS, professor of surgery at Georgetown University School of Medicine and director of The Surgical Advisory Group, in a news release.
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