"That’s how it’s always been done" is a phrase you will not hear uttered in the Department of Radiology and Radiological Science at The Johns Hopkins Hospital or at Johns Hopkins Medical Imaging. Organizations often cite historical precedent for why “option A” is being implemented instead of trying “option B.” The radiology department has seen […]
health care costs
Why It’s So Hard to Pick the Right Hospital
Posted by | Measurement of Safety and QualitySelecting the right hospital to receive care can save your life, lower your risks of getting a complication, or even reduce your financial hardship. The problem is that it's extremely hard for patients to make that judgment. Sometimes, the data they need to select the best hospital for their care doesn't exist. In other cases […]
To Engage Physicians in Cost Savings, Start with Quality
Posted by | Organizational and Cultural ChangeLike a pro golfer swears by a certain brand of clubs or a marathon runner has a chosen make of shoes, surgeons can form strong loyalties to the tools of their craft. Preferences for these items — such as artificial hips and knees, surgical screws, stents, pacemakers and other implants — develop over time, perhaps out of habit […]
A difficult conversation: the cost of end-of-life care
Posted by | Patient-Centered CareWith all the changes taking place in the health care industry today, there’s no shortage of topics to debate. With this in mind, about a year ago The Wall Street Journal launched an online forum called “The Experts”. The format is simple. Each month a roundtable of health care leaders each share their thoughts on […]