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How Intermountain Trimmed Health Care Costs Through Robust Quality Improvement Efforts
Health Affairs, 06/22/2011
James BC et al. – Intermountain created data systems and management structures that increased accountability, drove improvement, and produced savings. For example, a new delivery protocol helped reduce rates of elective induced labor, unplanned cesarean sections, and admissions to newborn intensive care units. That one protocol saves an estimated $50 million in Utah each year. If applied nationally, it would save about $3.5 billion. “Organized care” along these lines may be central to the long–term success of health reform.
