Research In Healthcare Financial Management: "Grand Rounds".FOREWORD fore·word n. A preface or an introductory note, as for a book, especially by a person other than the author. foreword Noun an introductory statement to a book Noun 1. The practice of grand rounds is a common occurrence in many hospitals in the US. A formal conference is arranged for one or more persons, expert in their areas, to present material to colleagues. The conference is typically focused on one or more clinical issues related to practices resulting in diverse patient outcomes. The Grand Round attendee at·tend·ee n. One who is present at or attends a function. See Usage Note at -ee1. attendee Noun a person who is present at a specified event Noun 1. not only learns the latest techniques and tools to more effectively and efficiently diagnosis and treat a disease, but also techniques and tools that may be either inefficient or result in grave danger Grave Danger is the name of the last two episodes in the of the popular American crime drama , which is set in Las Vegas, Nevada. This two parter was directed by Quentin Tarantino and was aired on May 19, 2005. to the patient. This issue of RESEARCH IN HEALTHCARE FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT is a form of Grand Rounds. Articles in this issue focus on techniques and tools related to financial management in the US and the UK as well as diverse factors that impact hospital and healthcare costs. In their 2004 Best Clinical Paper Award manuscript manuscript, a handwritten work as distinguished from printing. The oldest manuscripts, those found in Egyptian tombs, were written on papyrus; the earliest dates from c.3500 B.C. , Dra. Donna Dietz and Barbara Eide examined the use of a resource based relative value scale at community health centers and concluded that there were no significant differences in financial indicators prior and subsequent to implementation of this tool. They questioned the efficiency and effectiveness of this technique and challenge others to engage in further research. In their 2004 Best Case Study Paper Award manuscript, Drs. Mehmet Kocakulah and James Upson then present material related to the cost analysis of a physician order entry system. Their analysis indicated that currently this process is costly in terms of capital and maintenance. However, they predict those costs to decrease in the future. One wonders if a multitude of other costs will likewise decrease as a result of fewer errors in patient care! Dr. Merton Merton, outer borough (1991 pop. 161,800) of Greater London, SE England. The area is largely residential with some industry, including tanning and the manufacture of silk and calico prints, varnish and paint, and toys. Finkler provides a different focus of the continuing Grand Rounds. He affords ali a glimpse of market force dynamics not often seen in the healthcare financial literature. His analysis of the trends in healthcare costs at the metropolitan area level facilitates a scrutiny of cost trends often neither presented nor debated. The "attendees" are presented with future research areas related to bargaining power of healthcare providers and purchasers at multiple levels. The focus of the Grand Rounds now begins to change with a view of the potential jeopardy jeopardy, in law, condition of a person charged with a crime and thus in danger of punishment. At common law a defendant could be exposed to jeopardy for the same offense only once; exposing a person twice is known as double jeopardy. of joint ventures between not-for-profit Not-for-profit An organization established for charitable, humanitarian, or educational purposes that is exempt from some taxes and in which no one in profits or losses. and for-profit hospitals For-profit hospitals, or alternatively investor-owned hospitals, are investor-owned chains of hospitals which have been established particularly in the United States during the late twentieth century. and their tax exempt status, in an insightful paper by Dr. Pamela Smith. Are there substantial risks in this commercial activity and what are the characteristics of those institutions that do participate in these commercial ventures? The "attendee" is left impatient im·pa·tient adj. 1. Unable to wait patiently or tolerate delay; restless. 2. Unable to endure irritation or opposition; intolerant: impatient of criticism. 3. to leam more! The final presenters focus our interest on activity based costing in the US and the UK. Drs. Michela Arnaboldi and Irvine Lapsley eloquently el·o·quent adj. 1. Characterized by persuasive, powerful discourse: an eloquent speaker; an eloquent sermon. 2. guide the "attendee" through a case study of adoption of this management tool in the UK. Factors involved in successful initiation and implementation of this tool reside in senior administration and a competitive environment. Once again we are challenged to continue to study this area. As this session of the Research in Healthcare Financial Management Grand Rounds concludes, Dr. Raef Lawson, our final presenter, concurs that support from senior administration is a vital component in adopting activity based costing activities. His investigation of the differences in the findings of two surveys (1994 vs. 2004) and the factors affecting adoption and utilization of activity based costing and management illuminates differing issues not previously discussed. Another successful forum for sharing wisdom, knowledge and research outcomes is now concluded. We invite you to participate in the learning afforded by this forum, and to share your knowledge, wisdom and research in future editions of this journal. |
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