In 1980, Stanford University School of Business professor Alain Enthoven wrote a book titled Health Plan: The Only Practical Solution to the Soaring Cost of Medical Care.

As this issue of PSQH goes to press, healthcare bloggers are buzzing about a federal agency that recently shut down a prominent quality improvement program.

Medical devices are essential for the practice of modern medicine. However, unlike the inter-connected “plug-and-play” world of modern computers and consumer electronics, most medical devices used for the care of high-acuity patients are designed to operate independently and do not employ open networking standards for data communication or for device control.

With the advent of the 80-hour workweek for residents at academic health centers, there has been a predictable increase in the number of patient handoffs during a hospital stay.

Heart disease is one of the nation’s most serious chronic diseases, affecting more than 19 million Americans and costing some $213 billion annually in treatment and lost economic productivity costs.

When the Federal Government proposes new standards to permit electronic prescribing in ambulatory care settings next April, the experiences of nearly 50 small, community-based physician practices in northeastern Ohio are likely to help shape their recommendations.

The focus of a recent webcast reflected the heightened concern among clinicians and the general public regarding all types of healthcare-acquired infections (HAIs).

Whether as individuals, businesses, or government, we collectively spend great sums on care delivery yet obtain relatively low value in return.

You are a nurse on a busy medical-surgical unit, it’s Friday night, and you have just come on duty. You check your patients and become concerned about Mr. Z, who is scheduled for orthopedic surgery tomorrow.

Prescription drugs are a vital component of healthcare in preventing and treating illnesses