Mass Unveils Policies to Improve Care Quality
The State of Massachusetts previously announced plans to halt payments for medical errors. To follow up on this, the state recently unveiled policies intended to reduce the incidence of errors and, simultaneously, improve the quality of care delivered. According to the Boston Globe, this is one of the most striking approaches to reduce preventable errors.
The policies delineated cover 28 different types of errors that can occur, including surgical and medication errors along with others. These errors were previously identified by a national organization.
The same nonpayment policy was adopted by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Massachusetts. The insurer collaborated with the State to develop these new guidelines. Executives from Blue Cross note the relationship between errors and increased costs. However, they cite that this is not the impetus for implementing these new guidelines.
The intent of these policies is to indicate to providers that the expectation is that payment will be rendered for the delivery of high quality care. Implementation of the effort has yet to be determined, as well as the means by which it will be reinforced.
The effort was acknowledged by the Leapfrog Group, a Washington D.C. based patient safety advocacy organization. The importance of this effort is that it provides incentives for hospitals and other healthcare facilities to enhance safety efforts.
June 17, 2008 Related topics: Materials Management