Click to read this article on HealthDebate.ca… This is an updated version of an article that was originally published on BMJ Quality Blogs.
Cycle time: The new wait time (Published on HealthyDebate.ca)
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Decreasing Length of Stay Leads to Fewer Re-admissions
A recent study of all Veteran’s Affairs hospitals in the United States over a 14-year period showed that decreasing length of stay (LOS) has not resulted in a commensurate increase in 30-day re-admissions – in fact the opposite appears true … Continue reading
A Call to Eliminate Wait Times (Published on HealthyDebate.ca)
Click to read this article on HealthyDebate.ca… A urologist colleague of mine recently described the impact of long waiting times on his patient, named Linda*. He had just completed a multi-hour surgical removal of an infected staghorn calculus from Linda’s … Continue reading
Cycle time: The new wait time (Published by the British Medical Journal)
Click to read this article on BMJ Quality Blogs… Cycle time is the total time that it takes from beginning to end of a treatment process, including treatment of complications. Efficiency rises when cycle times are short because care has … Continue reading
Proposed sale of Shouldice Clinic triggers privatization concerns
A privately run, for-profit hospital in Canada has recently waded into the private-public debate in Canada and the outcome may influence the future direction of the Canadian health system. We should look towards not only Canadian and US health systems … Continue reading
Effective interventions to reduce falls in the elderly
A Cochrane review of falls prevention in the elderly was recently published, describing effective and ineffective interventions. The authors note that approximately 30% of people over age 65 living in the community fall each year, however fewer than 1 in … Continue reading
More than $750 billion wasted in US healthcare in 2009
The Institute of Medicine recently reported that the US health system wasted more than $750 billion in 2009. They describe waste due to inefficiency, complexity and resistance to change. As an example, they describe how it took 13 years for … Continue reading
Multi-disciplinary Parkinson’s care raises quality and lowers cost
Parkinson’s disease is a neurodegenerative disorder that often severely limits the functioning of patients in many domains of their lives. An analysis of a multi-disciplinary network for treatment of Parkinson’s patients has shown that costs can be reduced and adherence … Continue reading
23 1/2 hours… An engaging review of exercise benefits
23 1/2 hours is an engaging video reviewing the evidence for positive health benefits of at least 30 minutes of daily exercise. Dr. Michael Evans hosts an excellent website helping to interpret complex medical issues through evidence-based analysis. His website can be … Continue reading
Reducing cognitive errors in diagnosis
Cognitive errors can lead to mis-diagnosis and incorrect treatment. In the latest issue of Medisch Contact (a Dutch medical journal), the issue of cognitive errors in diagnosis is reviewed and the use of diagnostic checklists is proposed. Errors can be … Continue reading