An implementation analysis of a quality improvement project to reduce cesarean section in Brazilian private hospitals

BACKGROUND

Brazil has one of the highest prevalence of cesarean sections in the world. The private health system is responsible for carrying out most of these surgical procedures. A quality improvement project called Adequate Childbirth Project ("Projeto Parto Adequado"- PPA) was developed to identify models of care for labor and childbirth, which place value on vaginal birth and reduce the frequency of cesarean sections without a clinical indication. This research aims to evaluate the implementation of PPA in private hospitals in Brazil.

METHOD

Evaluative hospital-based survey, carried out in 2017, in 12 private hospitals, including 4,322 women. We used a Bayesian network strategy to develop a theoretical model for implementation analysis. We estimated and compared the degree of implementation of two major driving components of PPA-"Participation of women" and "Reorganization of care" - among the 12 hospitals and according to type of hospital (belonging to a health insurance company or not). To assess whether the degree of implementation was correlated with the rate of vaginal birth data we used the Bayesian Network and compared the difference between the group "Exposed to the PPA model of care" and the group "Standard of care model".

RESULTS

PPA had a low degree of implementation in both components "Reorganization of Care" (0.17 - 0.32) and "Participation of Women" (0.21 - 0.34). The combined implementation score was 0.39-0.64 and was higher in hospitals that belonged to a health insurance company. The vaginal birth rate was higher in hospitals with a higher degree of implementation of PPA.

CONCLUSION

The degree of implementation of PPA was low, which reflects the difficulties in changing childbirth care practices. Nevertheless, PPA increased vaginal birth rates in private hospitals with higher implementation scores. PPA is an ongoing quality improvement project and these results demonstrate the need for changes in the involvement of women and the care offered by the provider.

Changes in Hospital Adverse Events and Patient Outcomes Associated With Private Equity Acquisition

Importance

The effects of private equity acquisitions of US hospitals on the clinical quality of inpatient care and patient outcomes remain largely unknown.

Objective

To examine changes in hospital-acquired adverse events and hospitalization outcomes associated with private equity acquisitions of US hospitals.

Design, Setting, and Participants

Data from 100% Medicare Part A claims for 662 095 hospitalizations at 51 private equity-acquired hospitals were compared with data for 4 160 720 hospitalizations at 259 matched control hospitals (not acquired by private equity) for hospital stays between 2009 and 2019. An event study, difference-in-differences design was used to assess hospitalizations from 3 years before to 3 years after private equity acquisition using a linear model that was adjusted for patient and hospital attributes.

Main Outcomes and Measures

Hospital-acquired adverse events (synonymous with hospital-acquired conditions; the individual conditions were defined by the US Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services as falls, infections, and other adverse events), patient mix, and hospitalization outcomes (including mortality, discharge disposition, length of stay, and readmissions).

Results

Hospital-acquired adverse events (or conditions) were observed within 10 091 hospitalizations. After private equity acquisition, Medicare beneficiaries admitted to private equity hospitals experienced a 25.4% increase in hospital-acquired conditions compared with those treated at control hospitals (4.6 [95% CI, 2.0-7.2] additional hospital-acquired conditions per 10 000 hospitalizations, P = .004). This increase in hospital-acquired conditions was driven by a 27.3% increase in falls (P = .02) and a 37.7% increase in central line-associated bloodstream infections (P = .04) at private equity hospitals, despite placing 16.2% fewer central lines. Surgical site infections doubled from 10.8 to 21.6 per 10 000 hospitalizations at private equity hospitals despite an 8.1% reduction in surgical volume; meanwhile, such infections decreased at control hospitals, though statistical precision of the between-group comparison was limited by the smaller sample size of surgical hospitalizations. Compared with Medicare beneficiaries treated at control hospitals, those treated at private equity hospitals were modestly younger, less likely to be dually eligible for Medicare and Medicaid, and more often transferred to other acute care hospitals after shorter lengths of stay. In-hospital mortality (n = 162 652 in the population or 3.4% on average) decreased slightly at private equity hospitals compared with the control hospitals; there was no differential change in mortality by 30 days after hospital discharge.

Conclusions and Relevance

Private equity acquisition was associated with increased hospital-acquired adverse events, including falls and central line-associated bloodstream infections, along with a larger but less statistically precise increase in surgical site infections. Shifts in patient mix toward younger and fewer dually eligible beneficiaries admitted and increased transfers to other hospitals may explain the small decrease in in-hospital mortality at private equity hospitals relative to the control hospitals, which was no longer evident 30 days after discharge. These findings heighten concerns about the implications of private equity on health care delivery.

A national survey of antibacterial consumption in Sri Lanka

INTRODUCTION

Optimizing the use of antibacterial medicines is an accepted strategy to combat the antibacterial resistance. Availability of reliable antibacterial consumption (ABC) data is a prerequisite to implement this strategy.

OBJECTIVES

To quantify and describe the national ABC in Sri Lanka and to examine any differences in the consumption between public and private sector.

METHODS

The methodology for this survey was adapted from World Health Organization (WHO) methodology for a global programme on surveillance of antimicrobial consumption. Aggregate data on national consumption of systemic antibacterials (J01- Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical Classification (ATC) for 2017 were retrospectively extracted from all available data sources and classified using ATC classification. Quantity of consumption was converted to Defined Daily Doses (DDDs). Data are presented as total consumption and comparison between the public and private sector. Selected key quality indicators of ABC were compared between these two sectors.

FINDINGS

From the available data sources, the total ABC in 2017 was 343.46 million DDDs. Private sector consumption accounted for 246.76 million DDDs compared to 97.96 million DDDs distributed to entire public sector by the Ministry of Health. Beta-lactam-penicillins antibacterial group accounted for 58.79% in public sector compared to 27.48% in private sector while macrolides, quinolones and other beta-lactam antibacterials accounted for 60.51% in the private compared to 28.41% in public sector. Consumption of Reserve group antibacterials was negligible, and limited to private sector. Watch category antibacterials accounted for 46%, 24% and 54% of the total, public and private sector consumption, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

A disproportionately higher use of broad spectrum and Watch category antibacterials was observed in the private sector which needs further study. This national consumption survey highlights the need and provides the opening for establishment of ABC surveillance in Sri Lanka.

An audit tool for relicensing inspection for private hospitals in eThekwini district, South Africa

Background:

South Africa is moving towards National Health Insurance (NHI), which aims to provide access to universal health coverage for all South Africans. The NHI will only accredit and contract eligible health facilities that meet nationally approved quality standards in the public and private sector. Detailed tools for measuring compliance with the National Core Standards (NCS) and Batho Pele principles have been developed and implemented in the public sector. To date and since its implementation in the public sector, very little is known about the national audit tool and the method used to evaluate quality and patient safety standards in private hospitals in eThekwini district.

Objective:

The aim of the study was to develop an audit tool for relicensing inspection of private hospitals in eThekwini district based on the clinical domains of the NCS and Batho Pele principles.

Methodology:

An exploratory sequential mixed method research design was used with a qualitative first phase involving 24 nurse managers through purposive sampling. This was followed by a quantitative phase in which a structured questionnaire was administered to 270 nurses who were randomly sampled for the study from 4 hospitals.

Results:

The results revealed that the NCS and the Batho Pele principles are not fully implemented or evaluated in the selected hospitals in eThekwini district.

Conclusion:

These findings were significant and denoted the need for a standardised clinical audit tool for private hospitals in eThekwini district.

Factors influencing motivation of nurse leaders in a private hospital group in Gauteng, South Africa: A quantitative study

BACKGROUND

Nurse leadership is about aligning employees to a vision. This happens with buy-in, motivation and communication. When conducive environments are created by organisations, the motivation of nurse leaders will be enhanced, which will have a positive outcome on the organisation. Highly motivated nurse leaders accomplish more and are more productive. Nurse leadership is an essential source of support, mentorship and role modelling. These attributes tend to be more evident when nurse leaders are motivated.

OBJECTIVES

The objective of this study was to determine the factors that influence the motivation of nurse leaders.

METHOD

A quantitative, descriptive design and stratified sampling was used. Participants comprised unit managers (n = 49) from five hospitals in a private hospital group in South Africa. A self-administered questionnaire, namely, the Multidimensional Work Motivation Scale, was used to collect the data. Data were analysed using the IBM SPSS 22.0 program.

RESULTS

The results indicated that the nurse leaders in this study were intrinsically motivated. Their motivation was influenced by support, relatedness, autonomy and competence. No relationships were found between motivation and age, years in a management position, gender, qualifications and staff-reporting structure.

CONCLUSION

By implication, to understand what motivates nurse leaders and to keep them motivated, recommendations were proposed to nursing and human resources management. It is expected that the implementation of the recommendations will have a positive influence on patient outcomes, organisational success and the motivation and satisfaction of nurse leaders.

Comparison of Wait Times for New Patients Between the Private Sector and United States Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Centers

IMPORTANCE

Concerns have been raised about the adequacy of health care access among patients cared for within the United States Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) health care system.

OBJECTIVES

To determine wait times for new patients receiving care at VA medical centers and compare wait times in the VA medical centers with wait times in the private sector (PS).

DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS

A retrospective, repeated cross-sectional study was conducted of new appointment wait times for primary care, dermatology, cardiology, or orthopedics at VA medical centers in 15 major metropolitan areas in 2014 and 2017. Comparison data from the PS came from a published survey that used a secret shopper survey approach. Secondary analyses evaluated the change in overall and unique patients seen in the entire VA system and patient satisfaction survey measures of care access between 2014 and 2017.

MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES

The outcome of interest was patient wait time. Wait times in the VA were determined directly from patient scheduling. Wait times in the PS were as reported in Merritt Hawkins surveys using the secret shopper method.

RESULTS

Compared with the PS, overall mean VA wait times for new appointments in 2014 were similar (mean [SD] wait time, 18.7 [7.9] days PS vs 22.5 [7.3] days VA; P = .20). Department of Veterans Affairs wait times in 2014 were similar to those in the PS across specialties and regions. In 2017, overall wait times for new appointments in the VA were shorter than in the PS (mean [SD], 17.7 [5.9] vs 29.8 [16.6] days; P < .001). This was true in primary care (mean [SD], 20.0 [10.4] vs 40.7 [35.0] days; P = .005), dermatology (mean [SD], 15.6 [12.2] vs 32.6 [16.5] days; P < .001), and cardiology (mean [SD], 15.3 [12.6] vs 22.8 [10.1] days; P = .04). Wait times for orthopedics remained longer in the VA than the PS (mean [SD], 20.9 [13.3] vs 12.4 [5.5] days; P = .01), although wait time improved significantly between 2014 and 2017 in the VA for orthopedics while wait times in the PS did not change (change in mean wait times, increased 1.5 days vs decreased 5.4 days; P = .02). Secondary analysis demonstrated an increase in the number of unique patients seen and appointment encounters in the VA between 2014 and 2017 (4 996 564 to 5 118 446, and 16 476 461 to 17 331 538, respectively), and patient satisfaction measures of access also improved (satisfaction scores increased by 1.4%, 3.0%, and 4.0% for specialty care, routine primary care, and urgent primary care, P < .05).

CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE

Although wait times in the VA and PS appeared to be similar in 2014, there have been interval improvements in VA wait times since then, while wait times in the PS appear to be static. These findings suggest that access to care within the VA has improved over time.

Comparison of the Effects of Quality Improvement Strategies on Prevention of Mother-to-Child HIV Transmission in a Public and a Private Hospital in Lesotho

We compared quality improvement (QI) interventions for prevention of mother-to-child transmission in a private hospital and a government hospital (GH). From November 2013 to October 2016, data were extracted retrospectively for HIV-positive mothers and HIV-exposed infants. The overall number of mother-baby pairs (MBPs) was significantly (P < .001) higher at the GH (mean = 294, standard deviation [SD] = 180) than the private hospital (mean = 72, SD = 27). There was a significantly higher number of MBPs receiving care (P < .001) and routine services (P < .001) at the GH. The proportion of MBPs retained in care (P < .001) and receiving the routine service package (P < .001) was significantly higher at the private hospital. Overtime, indicators at the private hospital peaked significantly in year 2 and reduced moderately in the final year. The trend for the GH showed gradual but nonsignificant improvement in 2 indicators. QI showed positive results in the private hospital. If systematically applied in GHs, QI can support improved services for larger patient volumes.

Nursing staff perceptions regarding the clinical audit tool used for relicensing inspections within eThekwini private hospitals in South Africa

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to assess nursing staff perceptions regarding the clinical audit tool used for relicensing inspections within private hospitals in eThekwini district. Design/methodology/approach An exploratory sequential mixed method research design was used with a qualitative first phase involving a total population of 40 nurse managers through purposive sampling. Nurse managers ( n=24) were interviewed. This was followed by a quantitative phase in which a structured questionnaire was administered to nurses ( n=270) who were randomly sampled for the study from ( n=4) hospitals. Documentation review, a third phase was used to corroborate the findings of the first two phases of the study. Findings The results of the study showed that the participants perceptions of the selected private hospitals in eThekwini district is that they have not fully implemented the approach to practice standards and healthcare audits in relation to three clinical domains of the National Core Standards and the Batho Pele principles. These findings were significant and denoted the need for a standardised clinical audit tool for private hospitals in eThekwini district. Research limitations/implications This study was confined to an independent group of hospitals and the findings may not be suitable for generalising across all private hospitals in eThekwini district. Originality/value These findings led to the development of a clinical audit tool with measurements representing elements of care that are critical to the provision of safe, quality health care services.

Seroprevalence data at a private teaching hospital in Kenya: An examination of Toxoplasma gondii, cytomegalovirus, rubella, hepatitis A, and Entamoeba histolytica

Background

Relevant seroprevalence data for endemic pathogens in a given region provide insight not only into a population’s susceptibility to acute infection or risk for reactivation disease but also into the potential need for policy initiatives aimed at reducing these risks. Data from sub-Saharan Africa are sparse and since Aga Khan University Hospital Nairobi is an internationally accredited hospital equipped with a laboratory electronic medical record system, analysis of pertinent local seroprevalence data has been made possible.

Methods

We have analyzed serology data from laboratory electronic records at a 300 bed tertiary private teaching hospital in Kenya for the dates, 2008 to 2017 for Toxoplasma gondii, cytomegalovirus, and rubella, which were used primarily for antenatal screening. We also analyzed the data from hepatitis A and amebiasis serologies, which were used primarily for diagnostic purposes.

Results

For T. gondii, cytomegalovirus, and rubella, we used IgG serology to determine seroprevalence, finding rates of 32%, 86%, and 89%, respectively. There was no significant age-related difference in the 20 to 49 year old age range for any of these three pathogens. Of the Hepatitis A IgM tests that were ordered, 33% were positive with a peak positive rate of 70% in the five to nine year old age range. The seroprevalence of amebiasis was 4% and all cases of seropositivity were accompanied by compatible clinical illness (hepatic abscess).

Conclusions

These data provide insight into seroprevalence rates of selected pathogens that can be used to guide screening and diagnostic laboratory testing as well as private and public immunization practices.

Quality differences between private for-profit, private non-profit and public hospitals in Norway: a retrospective national register-based study of acute readmission rates following total hip and knee arthroplasties

OBJECTIVES

To compare the quality of care-using unplanned acute hospital readmissions as a quality measure-among patients treated at private for-profit hospitals (PFPs), private non-profit hospitals (PNPs) and public hospitals (PUBs) in Norway.

DESIGN

A retrospective comparative study using the Norwegian Patient Register. Readmissions were evaluated by logistic regressions both using adjustment for various patient-level and other covariates, and a two-stage model using distance as an instrumental variable.

SETTING

The Norwegian healthcare system.

POPULATION

All publicly financed patients having primary total hip (37 897 patients) or primary total knee arthroplasty (25 802 patients) at one of the three hospital types from 2009 to 2014.

PRIMARY OUTCOME MEASURE

30-day unplanned acute hospital readmission rate.

RESULTS

We found highest readmission rates among PUBs and lowest among PFPs, for both procedures. However, the patients were on average more than 2 years younger at PFPs. PFPs also treated the least severe patients, while PUBs treated the most severe. Using adjustment for various patient-level and other covariates, compared to PUBs, both PFPs and PNPs had lower odds of readmission following both procedures. However, using the instrumental variable method, the only significant difference found was a lower odds of readmission at PNPs among hip patients when compared with PUBs. No patients in our data set were readmitted to PFPs, those originally treated at PFPs were readmitted to either PNPs or PUBs, and PUBs received most of the readmitted patients across hospital types.

CONCLUSIONS

Quality differences between hospital types were small; however, PNPs had significantly lower readmission rates compared with PUBs among patients having total hip arthroplasty. PUBs received the larger part of the readmitted patients across hospital types and thus play an essential role in the care of more complex patients and for readmissions, regardless of any quality differences.

Does hospital ownership influence hospital referral region health rankings in the United States

Extensive evidence demonstrates that a hospital's organizational ownership structure impacts its overall performance, but little is known concerning the influence of hospital structure on the health of its community. This paper explores the association between US hospital referral region (HRR) health rankings and hospital ownership and performance. Data from the 2016 Commonwealth Fund Scorecard on Local Health System Performance, the American Hospital Association dataset, and the Hospital Value-Based Purchasing dataset are utilized to conduct a cross-sectional analysis of 36 quality measures across 306 HRRs. Multivariate regression analysis was used to estimate the association among hospital ownership, system performance measures-access and affordability, prevention and treatment, avoidable hospital use and cost, and healthy lives-and performance as measured by value-based purchasing total performance scores. We found that indicators of access and affordability, as well as prevention and treatment, were significantly associated across all 3 hospitals' organizational structures. Hospital referral regions with a greater number of not-for-profit hospitals demonstrated greater indications of access and affordability, as well as better prevention and treatment rankings than for-profit and government hospitals. Hospital referral regions with a greater number of government, nonfederal hospitals had worse scores for healthy lives. Furthermore, the greater the total performance scores score, the better the HRR score on prevention and treatment rankings. The greater the per capita income, the better the score across all 4 dimensions. As such, this inquiry supports the assertion that performance of a local health system is dependent on its community's resources of health care delivery entities and their structure.

Perceptions of Care of Patients Undergoing Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery in Veterans Health Administration and Private Sector Hospitals

Few studies have examined differences in patient perceptions of care between health care systems. This study compared the perceptions of male patients undergoing coronary artery bypass graft surgery in 43 Veterans Health Administration (VA) hospitals (N = 808) and 102 US private sector hospitals (N = 2271) from 1995 to 1998. Patient perceptions were measured by a validated survey that was mailed to patients after discharge. For 8 of the 9 dimensions assessed by the survey, VA patients were more likely (P < .001) than private sector patients to note a problem with care (eg, Coordination, 48% versus 40%; Patient Education and Communication, 50% versus 40%; Respect for Patient Preferences, 49% versus 41%). In comparisons limited to major teaching hospitals, VA patients were more likely to note a problem for 5 dimensions. The findings indicate that patient perceptions of care may be lower in VA than in private sector hospitals. Future studies should examine whether the VA's recent focus on improving patient satisfaction has narrowed these differences.

Assessing the disparity in spatial access to hospital care in ethnic minority region in Sichuan Province, China

BACKGROUND

There is a great disparity in spatial accessibility to hospital care between ethnic minority and non-minority regions in China. Being one of the basic social demands, spatial access to hospital care in minority regions draws increasing attention in China in recent years. We performed this study to have a better understanding of spatial access to hospital care in ethnic minority region in China, and to guide the allocation of government investment in the future.

METHODS

Sichuan Province, southwest of China was selected as a sample to examine the difference in hospital access between ethnic minority and non-minority region in China. We applied the shortest path analysis and the enhanced two-step floating catchment area (E2SFCA) method under ArcGIS 9.3 environment.

RESULTS

In Sichuan, healthcare access in ethnic minority region is worse than in non-minority region in terms of time to hospital and the value of spatial accessibility. There is relatively greater inequality in access to doctors and health professionals than in access to hospital beds. In ethnic minority region, the balance between primary, secondary, and tertiary hospitals, as well as between public and private hospitals, is less even, compared with the non-minority region. The disparity within ethnic minority region is larger than in non-minority region.

CONCLUSIONS

The combination of shortest path analysis and E2SFCA method is superior to the traditional county ratio method in assessing spatial access to healthcare. Compared to the non-minority region, ethnic minority region rely more heavily on government investment to provide healthcare. In ethnic minority region, the current distribution of primary, secondary and tertiary hospitals is inappropriate, and there is an urgent shortage of healthcare personnel. We therefore recommend that the government use preferential policies to encourage more social capital investment in ethnic minority region, use government investment as a supplement to build a more equitable healthcare market, encourage doctors to work in such regions, and push forward road construction in rural area.

Monitoring adverse events in Norwegian hospitals from 2010 to 2013

OBJECTIVES

To describe how adverse event (AE) rates were monitored and estimated nationally across all Norwegian hospitals from 2010 to 2013, and how they developed during the monitoring period. Monitoring was based on medical record review with Global Trigger Tool (GTT).

SETTING

All publicly and privately owned hospitals were mandated to review randomly selected medical records to monitor AE rates. The initiative was part of the Norwegian patient safety campaign, launched by the Norwegian Ministry of Health and Care Services. It started in January 2011 and lasted until December 2013. 2010 was the baseline for the review. One of the main aims of the campaign was to reduce patient harm.

METHOD

To standardise the medical record reviews in all hospitals, GTT was chosen as a standard method. GTT teams from all hospitals reviewed 40,851 medical records randomly selected from 2,249,957 discharges from 2010 to 2013. Data were plotted in time series for local measurement and national AE rates were estimated, plotted and monitored.

RESULTS

AE rates were estimated and published nationally from 2010 to 2013. Estimated AE rates in severity categories E-I decreased significantly from 16.1% in 2011 to 13.0% in 2013 (-3.1% (95% CI -5.2% to -1.1%)).

CONCLUSIONS

Monitoring estimated AE rates emerges as a potential element in national systems for patient safety. Estimated AE rates in the category of least severity decreased significantly during the first 2 years of the monitoring.

Rethinking health care commercialization: evidence from Malaysia

BACKGROUND

Against the backdrop of systemic inefficiency in the public health care system and the theoretical claims that markets result in performance and efficiency improvement, developing countries' governments have been rapidly commercializing health care delivery. This paper seeks to determine whether commercialization through an expansion in private hospitals has led to performance improvements in public hospitals.

METHODS

Inpatient utilization records of all public hospitals in Peninsular Malaysia over the period 2006-2010 were used in this study. These records were obtained from the Ministry of Health. The study relied on utilization ratios, bed occupancy rates (BOR), bed turnover rates (BTR) and average length of stay (ALOS). The data were analyzed using SPSS 22 Statistical Software and the Pabon Lasso technique.

RESULTS

Over 60 % of public hospitals in Malaysia are inefficient and perform sub-optimally. Average BOR among the public hospitals was 56 % in 2006 and 61 % in 2010. There was excessive BTR of 65 and 73 times within the period. Overall, the ALOS was low, falling from 3.4 days in 2006 to 3.1 days in 2010.

CONCLUSIONS

This study demonstrates that commercialization has not led to performance improvements in the public health care sector in Malaysia. The evidence suggests that efforts to improve performance will require a focus directly on public hospitals.

Hospital sector choice and support for public hospital care in New Zealand: Results from a labeled discrete choice survey

This study uses a discrete choice experiment (DCE) to measure patients' preferences for public and private hospital care in New Zealand. A labeled DCE was administered to 583 members of the general public, with the choice between a public and private hospital for a non-urgent surgery. The results suggest that cost of surgery, waiting times for surgery, option to select a surgeon, convenience, and conditions of the hospital ward are important considerations for patients. The most important determinant of hospital choice was whether it was a public or private hospital, with respondents far more likely to choose a public hospital than a private hospital. The results have implications for government policy toward using private hospitals to clear waiting lists in public hospitals, with these results suggesting the public might not be indifferent to policies that treat private hospitals as substitutes for public hospitals.

[Quality care in an intensive therapy unit at private hospital]

BACKGROUND

The aim of this article is to evaluate the quality of care in intensive care, with international quality indices.

METHODS

It was a descriptive study in an intensive care private care in Mexico. 2012 indicators are analyzed in a total of 446 hospital patients. The quality indicators were in line with international recommendations. The severity was determined by the scale SAPS III.

RESULTS

Indicator of ventilation associated pneumonia was below the recommended standard (11.7 vs. 12 per thousand), bacteremia related central venous catheter in accepted ranges (5.7 vs. 4 per thousand). The ulcer prophylaxis, prevention of pulmonary embolism and prevention of falls in high compliance proportions (> 90, > 95 % and 0 falls). The rates of unplanned extubation and re-intubation below indicators (< 1 per thousand days intubation and < 12 %). While indicators varied by classification of severity of the condition, the goals were met. Mortality was lower than that estimated by gravity.

CONCLUSION

In this therapy the implementation of internationally recommended actions has helped maintain an adequate quality of care. The effort has impacted not only the patients with acute conditions of admission, but also patients with high mortality or Hazard.

Preferences for infant delivery site among pregnant women and new mothers in Northern Karnataka, India

BACKGROUND

The National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) of India aims to increase the uptake of safe and institutional delivery among rural communities to improve maternal, neonatal and child health (MNCH) outcomes. Previous studies in India have found that while there have been increasing numbers of institutional deliveries there are still considerable barriers to utilization and quality of services, particularly in rural areas, that may mitigate improvements achieved by MNCH interventions. This paper aims to explore the factors influencing preference for home, public or private hospital delivery among rural pregnant and new mothers in three northern districts of Karnataka state, South India.

METHODS

In-depth qualitative interviews were conducted in 2010 among 110 pregnant women, new mothers (infants born within past 3 months), their husbands and mothers-in-law. Interviews were conducted in the local language (Kannada) and then translated to English for analysis. The interviews of pregnant women and new mothers were used for analysis to ultimately develop broader themes around definitions of quality care from the perspective of service users, and the influence this had on their delivery site preferences.

RESULTS

Geographical and financial access were important barriers to accessing institutional delivery services in all districts, and among those both above and below the poverty line. Access issues of greatest concern were high costs at private institutions, continuing fees at public hospitals and the inconsistent receipt of government incentives. However, views on quality of care that shaped delivery site preferences were deeply rooted in socio-cultural expectations for comfortable, respectful and safe care that must ultimately be addressed to change negative perceptions about institutional, and particularly public hospital, care at delivery.

CONCLUSIONS

In the literature, quality of care beyond access has largely been overlooked in favour of support for incentives on the demand side, and more trained doctors, facilities and equipment on the supply side. Taking a comprehensive approach to quality of care in line with cultural values and community needs is imperative for improving experiences, utilization, and ultimately maternal and neonatal health outcomes at the time of delivery.

Assessing the impact of privatizing public hospitals in three American states: implications for universal health coverage

Many countries with universal health systems have relied primarily on publicly-owned hospitals to provide acute care services to covered populations; however, many policymakers have experimented with expansion of the private sector for what they hope will yield more cost-effective care. The study provides new insight into the effects of hospital privatization in three American states (California, Florida, and Massachusetts) in the period 1994 to 2003, focusing on three aspects: 1) profitability; 2) productivity and efficiency; and 3) benefits to the community (particularly, scope of services offered, price level, and impact on charity care). For each variable analyzed, we compared the 3-year mean values pre- and postconversion. Pre- and postconversion changes in hospitals' performance were then compared with a nonequivalent comparison group of American public hospitals. The results of our study indicate that following privatization, hospitals increased operating margins, reduced their length of stay, and enjoyed higher occupancy, but at some possible cost to access to care for their communities in terms of higher price markups and loss of beneficial but unprofitable services.

Quantity and quality of information, education and communication during antenatal visit at private and public sector hospitals of Bahawalpur, Pakistan

BACKGROUND

Information, education and communication (IEC) by health care provider to pregnant woman during the antenatal visit are very crucial for healthier outcome of pregnancy. This study analysed the quality and quantity of antenatal visit at a private and a public hospital of Bahawalpur, Pakistan.

METHODS

An exit interview was conducted from 216 pregnant women by using validated, reliable and pre-tested adapted questionnaire. First sample was selected by simple random sampling, for rest of the sample selection systematic random sampling was adapted by selecting every 7th women for interview. Ethical considerations were taken.

RESULTS

Average communication time among pregnant woman and her healthcare provider was 3 minute in public and 8 minutes in private hospital. IEC mainly focused on diet and nutrition in private (86%) and (53%) public, advice for family planning after delivery was discussed with 13% versus 7% in public and private setting. None of the respondents in both facilities got advice or counselling on breastfeeding and neonatal care. Birth preparedness components were discussed, woman in public and private hospital respectively. In both settings antenatal clients were not received information and education communication according to World Health Organization guidelines.

CONCLUSION

Quality and quantity of IEC during antenatal care was found very poor in both public and private sector hospitals of urban Pakistan.

Hospital ownership and efficiency: a review of studies with particular focus on Germany

The German hospital market has been subject over the past two decades to a variety of healthcare reforms. Particularly the introduction of diagnosis-related groups (DRGs) in 2004 aimed to increase efficiency of hospitals. The objective of the paper is to review recent studies comparing the efficiency of German public, private non-profit and private for-profit hospitals. The results of the studies are quite mixed. However, in line with the evidence found in studies from other countries, especially the US, the evidence from Germany suggests that private ownership (i.e., private non-profit and private for-profit) is not necessarily associated with higher efficiency compared to public ownership. This may be a surprising result to many policy makers as private for-profit hospitals are often perceived the most efficient ownership type by the public.

Payments and quality of care in private for-profit and public hospitals in Greece

BACKGROUND

Empirical evidence on how ownership type affects the quality and cost of medical care is growing, and debate on these topics is ongoing. Despite the fact that the private sector is a major provider of hospital services in Greece, little comparative information on private versus public sector hospitals is available. The aim of the present study was to describe and compare the operation and performance of private for-profit (PFP) and public hospitals in Greece, focusing on differences in nurse staffing rates, average lengths of stay (ALoS), and Social Health Insurance (SHI) payments for hospital care per patient discharged.

METHODS

Five different datasets were prepared and analyzed, two of which were derived from information provided by the National Statistical Service (NSS) of Greece and the other three from data held by the three largest SHI schemes in the country. All data referred to the 3-year period from 2001 to 2003.

RESULTS

PFP hospitals in Greece are smaller than public hospitals, with lower patient occupancy, and have lower staffing rates of all types of nurses and highly qualified nurses compared with public hospitals. Calculation of ALoS using NSS data yielded mixed results, whereas calculations of ALoS and SHI payments using SHI data gave results clearly favoring the public hospital sector in terms of cost-efficiency; in all years examined, over all specialties and all SHI schemes included in our study, unweighted ALoS and SHI payments for hospital care per discharge were higher for PFP facilities.

CONCLUSIONS

In a mixed healthcare system, such as that in Greece, significant performance differences were observed between PFP and public hospitals. Close monitoring of healthcare provision by hospital ownership type will be essential to permit evidence-based decisions on the future of the public/private mix in terms of healthcare provision.

Ongoing use of conventional devices and safety device activation rates in hospitals in Ontario, Canada

This study assessed voluntary compliance with the use of sharp safety devices in lieu of conventional ones and the activation status of these safety devices: VanishPoint syringes, Terumo Surshield butterflies, and Insyte Autoguard IV catheters. Sharps disposal containers from various wards in three private, not-for profit, university-affiliated Ontario hospitals were audited during 9 days in August 2007. In the 149 audited sharps containers, 55% of all syringes found were conventional compared with 45% that were safety syringes. In the three hospitals, the percentages of conventional (non-safety) vs. safety syringes found in used sharps containers were as follows, respectively: (i) 72% conventional and 28% safety, (ii) 55% conventional and 45% safety, and (iii) 65% conventional and 35% safety. In addition, it was found that 77% of 2131 Terumo butterflies, 97% of 1117 Insyte Autoguard IV catheters, and 87% of 4897 VanishPoint syringes in the containers had been activated. This study, carried out approximately 1 year before it was legally required to use safety instead of sharp conventional devices, found that most devices in use were conventional ones. It was also found that only the activation rate for the safety IV device was acceptable.

Comparing public and private hospitals in China: evidence from Guangdong

BACKGROUND

The literature comparing private not-for-profit, for-profit, and government providers mostly relies on empirical evidence from high-income and established market economies. Studies from developing and transitional economies remain scarce, especially regarding patient case-mix and quality of care in public and private hospitals, even though countries such as China have expanded a mixed-ownership approach to service delivery. The purpose of this study is to compare the operations and performance of public and private hospitals in Guangdong Province, China, focusing on differences in patient case-mix and quality of care.

METHODS

We analyze survey data collected from 362 government-owned and private hospitals in Guangdong Province in 2005, combining mandatorily reported administrative data with a survey instrument designed for this study. We use univariate and multi-variate regression analyses to compare hospital characteristics and to identify factors associated with simple measures of structural quality and patient outcomes.

RESULTS

Compared to private hospitals, government hospitals have a higher average value of total assets, more pieces of expensive medical equipment, more employees, and more physicians (controlling for hospital beds, urban location, insurance network, and university affiliation). Government and for-profit private hospitals do not statistically differ in total staffing, although for-profits have proportionally more support staff and fewer medical professionals. Mortality rates for non-government non-profit and for-profit hospitals do not statistically differ from those of government hospitals of similar size, accreditation level, and patient mix.

CONCLUSIONS

In combination with other evidence on health service delivery in China, our results suggest that changes in ownership type alone are unlikely to dramatically improve or harm overall quality. System incentives need to be designed to reward desired hospital performance and protect vulnerable patients, regardless of hospital ownership type.

Study of biomedical waste management practices in a private hospital and evaluation of the benefits after implementing remedial measures for the same

A study has been carried out to ascertain, whether biomedical Waste generated in private hospitals being segregated and managed properly? The study was carried out in a private tertiary care 620 bedded hospital located in an urban area in Delhi, India to assess the awareness and attitude of the hospital staff, to document the ongoing practices, enlisting the deficiencies, to identify the root causes and to suggest remedial measures for proper biomedical waste management and assess the benefits of implementing them. A process flow chart was made of the existing waste system of the hospital. An anonymous questionnaire survey was conducted to determine the awareness about the policies and practices. A training programme was organised and a manual for waste management was made and distributed in the hospital. The quantum of waste generated per day in the hospital was 610 kg with 150 kg being biomedical waste. It was observed that although the waste generated was being disinfected properly before disposal the hospital staff was not segregating the waste properly, with delays in lifting of waste compounded with improper disposal. The hospital has its own incinerator but it was underutilized. After the remedial measures including training and distribution of manuals, an improvement was found in the segregation process resulting in decrease in amount of infectious waste load to 50%. The survey shows that no appropriate strategy exists and there is an urgent need to increase awareness about rules, regulations and procedures regarding this vital issue.

[Management of bleeding esophageal varices in public and private institutions in Chile]

BACKGROUND

The better treatment modalities for bleeding esophageal varices have improved the prognosis of cirrhosis.

AIM

To inquire about diagnostic and treatment modalities for esophageal bleeding in Chile.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

An enquiry about diagnosis and treatment of esophageal bleeding was designed and electronically sent to public and private health institutions that could admit patients and were located in cities with more than 100,000 inhabitants.

RESULTS

The enquiry was answered by 31 of 35 public and 17 of 19 private health institutions that were consulted. Emergency endoscopy was available in 6 of 27 public and in the 16 private institutions that had an emergency room. Rubber band was available in 16 public (52%) and in all private institutions. Cyanoacrylate injections were done in 10 public (32%) and 11 (65%) private institutions. No public institution installed transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunts, but 8 had occasional access to this technique. This procedure was done in 7 (41%) private institutions and all had access to it. Surgical treatment was feasible in 20 public (65%) and all private institutions. Primary prophylaxis was done in 18 public (58%) and 14 private (82%) institutions. Secondary prophylaxis was carried out in 26 public (84%) and 16 private (94%) institutions.

CONCLUSIONS

Public health institutions have poor access to adequate diagnostic and treatment methods for esophageal bleeding. The primary and secondary prophylaxis of esophageal varices must be improved in both types of institutions.

[Audit of general hospitals and private surgical clinics in Israel]

BACKGROUND

Supervision and inspection of medical facilities are among the responsibilities of the Ministry of Health (MOH) anchored in the "Public Health Act 1940". In order to implement the law, the General Medical Division of the MOH began the process of auditing hospitals and private surgical clinics prior to considering the reissue of their license.

OBJECTIVES

The audit aimed to implement the law, activate supervision on general hospitals and private surgical clinics, provide feed-back to the audited institution and upgrade quality assurance, regulate medical activities according to the activities elaborated in the license and recommend the license renewal.

METHODS

Prior to the audits, 20 areas of activity were chosen for inspection. For each activity a check list was developed as a tool for inspection. Each area was inspected during a 4-5 hour visit by a MOH expert, accompanied by the local service manager in the institution under inspection. A comprehensive report, summarizing the findings was sent to the medical institute, requesting correction in those areas where improvements were needed. Recommendation for license renewal was sent to the Director of Licensing Division Ministry of Health.

RESULTS

Between June 2003 and July 2006, 91 structured audits took place. A total of 47 general hospitals and 24 private surgical clinics were visited at least once. Most general hospitals were found abiding, functioning according to the required standards and eligible for license renewal. Licenses of institutions that complied with the standards determined by the audit teams, were renewed. Two private hospitals in central Israel, that were given an overall poor evaluation, were issued with a temporary license and subsequently re-audited 4 times over the next two years. Generally, the standards in private surgical clinics were lower than those found in general public hospitals. In one clinic the license was not renewed, and in another an order was issued to cease surgical procedures requiring general anesthesia.

CONCLUSIONS

The evaluations were mainly qualitative, deliberately avoiding numerical rating. In order to improve the process in the future and facilitate common scale rating to establish an equitable comparison system between institutions, it will be necessary to develop more quality measures and compulsory standards, based on the measures used during the first round of audits. Publication of the results of such comparisons, will elevate medical performance, and ultimately improve the quality of services and medical care in Israel.

Reducing avoidable deaths among veterans: directing private-sector surgical care to high-performance hospitals

OBJECTIVES

We quantified older (65 years and older) Veterans Health Administration (VHA) patients' use of the private sector to obtain 14 surgical procedures and assessed the potential impact of directing that care to high-performance hospitals.

METHODS

Using a merged VHA-Medicare inpatient database for 2000 and 2001, we determined where older VHA enrollees obtained 6 cardiovascular surgeries and 8 cancer resections and whether private-sector care was obtained in high- or low-performance hospitals (based on historical performance and determined 2 years in advance of the service year). We then modeled the mortality and travel burden effect of directing private-sector care to high-performance hospitals.

RESULTS

Older veterans obtained most of their procedures in the private sector, but that care was equally distributed across high- and low-performance hospitals. Directing private-sector care to high-performance hospitals could have led to the avoidance of 376 to 584 deaths, most through improved cardiovascular care outcomes. Using historical mortality to define performance would produce better outcomes with lower travel time.

CONCLUSIONS

Policy that directs older VHA enrollees' private-sector care to high-performance hospitals promises to reduce mortality for VHA's service population and warrants further exploration.

Spire stresses value of care setting

BUPA Hospitals has recently become independent of the BUPA Group, having been sold to private equity group Cinven. Stressing the importance of appropriate further investment in its care environments, the organisation, now named Spire Healthcare, is set to push standards of private healthcare provision to new levels. Nicholas Marshall reports.

Veterans' use of Department of Veterans Affairs care and perceptions of outsourcing inpatient care

The objective of the study was to examine veterans' perceptions of problems and benefits of outsourcing inpatient care from Veterans Affairs (VA) hospitals to private sector hospitals. Primary data were collected from a cross-section of 42 veterans who were VA users and nonusers using focus groups. Focus group discussion examined reasons patients use VA care, differences between VA and civilian care, positive and negative impacts of outsourcing, and special needs of veterans. Analyses revealed five domains related both to use of VA services and perceptions of outsourcing: costs, access, quality of care, contract (i.e., a covenant between veterans and the U.S. government), veteran milieu, and special needs. Participants identified a variety of potential positive and negative impacts. In general, veterans perceived more advantages than disadvantages to outsourcing VA care but still expressed significant concerns related to outsourcing. These issues should be considered in the development of future policy toward outsourcing VA care to the private sector.

Assessing the performance of freestanding hospitals

Freestanding hospitals are becoming less common as more hospitals are joining or establishing relationships with multihospital systems. These associations are driven by factors, such as unrelenting competition in local markets, aging physical plants, increasing labor costs, and higher physician fees, that place a high demand on financial assets. Despite these factors, many freestanding hospitals continue to do well financially, showing increases in total profit margins and total cash flow margins. This article examines which market, management, financial, and mission factors are associated with freestanding hospitals with consistently positive cash flows, relative to those without consistently positive cash flows. The study sample consisted of freestanding, nonfederal, short-term, acute care general hospitals with more than 50 beds and three years of annual cash flow data. Data were taken from the annual surveys of the American Hospital Association, the cost reports of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, and the Area Resource File of the Health Resources and Services Administration. The data were analyzed using logistic regression to identify those factors associated with a consistently positive cash flow. Freestanding hospitals with positive cash flows were found to have a greater market share and to be located in markets with a higher number of physicians and fewer acute care beds; to have fewer unoccupied beds, higher net revenues, greater liquidity, and less debt on hand; and to treat fewer Medicare patients than those without a positive cash flow. The findings suggest that these hospitals are located in resource-rich environments and that they have strong management teams.

Characteristics and activities of acute psychiatric in-patient facilities: national survey in Italy

BACKGROUND

Legislation in 1978 led to the gradual replacement of mental hospitals in Italy with a full range of community-based services, including facilities for acute in-patient care.

AIMS

To survey the main characteristics of Italian public and private in-patient facilities for acute psychiatric disorders.

METHOD

Structured interviews were conducted with each facility's head psychiatrist in all Italian regions, with the exception of Sicily.

RESULTS

Overall, Italy (except Sicily) has a total of 4108 public in-patient beds in 319 facilities, with 0.78 beds for every 10,000 inhabitants, and 4862 beds in 54 private in-patient facilities, with 0.94 beds per 10,000 inhabitants. In 2001 the rates of psychiatric admissions and admitted patients per 10,000 inhabitants were 26.7 and 17.8 respectively. In the same year the percentage of involuntary admissions was 12.9%, for a total of 114,570 hospital days. Many in-patient facilities showed significant limitations in terms of architectural and logistic characteristics. Staffing showed a great variability among facilities.

CONCLUSIONS

The overall number of acute beds per 10,000 inhabitants is one of the lowest in Europe. The survey has provided evidence of two parallel systems of in-patient care, a public one and a private one, which are not fully interchangeable.