Michigan hospitals ' quality initiatives save $116M in costs, improve care

As a result of various patient safety and quality initiatives, Michigan's 117 hospitals cut expenses by $116 million between 2011 and 2012, according to a new report from the Michigan Health & Hospital Association (MHA) Keystone Center.

The savings represent less than 1 percent of the revenue hospitals reported in 2010, Crain's Detroit Business reports.

The hospital programs focused on reducing readmission reduction, decreasing hospital-acquired infections and avoiding pressure ulcers. As a result of these initiatives, the report states:

  • Readmission prevention programs reduced healthcare costs by $98 million;

  • Catheter-associated urinary tract infection rates fell 75 percent from January 2012 to August 2013 when categorized by patient day, and 42 percent when categorized by catheter day.

  • Central-line-associated bloodstream infections decined by more than 50 percent and incidences of ventilator-associated pneumonia dropped by 60 percent between 2004 and 2012. Combined, these efforts saved hospitals nearly $1.2 million.

  • Early elective births decreased by nearly 68 percent at participating hospitals from 2010 through 2012, and the number of babies admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit dropped 35 percent from first quarter 2010 to first quarter 2013. This saved nearly $17 million in healthcare costs.

  • Between second quarter 2012 and first quarter 2013, hospital-acquired pressure ulcers declined 37.5 percent. Pressure ulcer reduction programs saved $774,000 in 2011.

  • The mortality rate for septic patients fell 37.6 percent from second quarter 2011 to first quarter 2013.

"The tireless efforts of Michigan's dedicated hospital leaders and clinical teams have saved thousands of lives, reduced infections, improved the culture of safety and made Michigan hospitals among the safest in the country," said Spencer Johnson, president of the MHA in a statement. "While these latest cost savings are significant, success is really measured one way: one healthy patient at a time."

To learn more:
- read the report (.pdf)
- here's the statement (.pdf)
- check out the Crain's article