The Psychology Behind Antibiotic Misuse
None of us wants to live in a world without access to lifesaving antibiotics. No patient should be subject to an allergic reaction or organ… Read More »The Psychology Behind Antibiotic Misuse
Blockbuster Data: How Reporting Surgical Volumes Could Save Lives
If there was a wonder drug to save the lives of infants with serious heart abnormalities, doctors would be sure to prescribe it. Parents would… Read More »Blockbuster Data: How Reporting Surgical Volumes Could Save Lives
Supporting ‘Second Victims’ Also Helps Hospital Budgets
Saving their hospital nearly $2 million a year wasn't the goal for Albert Wu and Cheryl Connors when they created a program to support traumatized colleagues.… Read More »Supporting ‘Second Victims’ Also Helps Hospital Budgets
“War Gaming” for Patient Safety
Over a decade ago, I consulted on a project for the U.S. Air Force involving very large-scale simulations. These "war games" involved more than 1,500… Read More »“War Gaming” for Patient Safety
A Clear-Eyed Approach to Reducing Costly Health Care Regulations
Johns Hopkins ophthalmologist Oliver Schein has found a simple way to save a half a billion dollars a year from our country's health-care bill, with… Read More »A Clear-Eyed Approach to Reducing Costly Health Care Regulations
Breaking Down the Barriers to a Second Opinion
When patients receive life-altering diagnoses, face aggressive treatments, or have misgivings about a provider’s conclusions, they may wonder if they should seek a second opinion.… Read More »Breaking Down the Barriers to a Second Opinion
Hospitals Helping Hospitals Improve Patient Safety
The moment that an accreditation team shows up unannounced can spike the pulse of even the most seasoned hospital executive. The next several days will… Read More »Hospitals Helping Hospitals Improve Patient Safety
Why Surgical Volumes Should Be Public
Her voice cracked with strain. I could imagine the woman at the other end of the line shaking, overcome with remorse about the hospital where… Read More »Why Surgical Volumes Should Be Public
How We Can Engineer a Less Costly Health Care System
If we want to rein in the costs of the U.S. health-care system — now equal to nearly 18 percent of the nation's gross domestic… Read More »How We Can Engineer a Less Costly Health Care System
More Science, Less Sausage-Making Needed for Hospital Quality Measures
If you understand statistics and possess the intestinal fortitude to examine a ranking methodology, you will recognize that it involves ingredients that have to be… Read More »More Science, Less Sausage-Making Needed for Hospital Quality Measures