Driven by the development of medical technology and the increasing workload of hospitals, high-cost medical consumables are playing an ever more important role. Operating theatres, as the biggest consumer of high-cost consumables, cannot afford to manage the consumables in a detailed manner under the traditional approaches of management. This article elaborates on the complete management of the high-cost consumables with the help of bar code technology. Information management of high-cost consumables has brought about higher work efficiency, streamlined management process, greater medical safety and higher economic viability of hospitals.
Costs and Cost Analysis ; Electronic Data Processing ; Equipment and Supplies, Hospital ; economics ; Operating Rooms

OBJECTIVETo study the clinical features and hospital costs of neonatal sepsis caused by Gram-positive (G(+)) bacteria, Gram-negative (G(-)) bacteria, and fungi.

METHODSThe clinical data of 236 neonates with sepsis were analyzed retrospectively. Among these neonates, 110 had sepsis caused by G(+) bacteria, 68 had sepsis caused by G(-) bacteria, and 58 had sepsis caused by fungi.

RESULTSFull-term infants accounted for 62% and 38%, respectively, in the G(+) bacteria and G(-) bacteria groups, and preterm infants accounted for 86% in the fungi group. The neonates in the fungi group had significantly lower gestational ages and birth weights than those in the G(+) and G(-) bacteria groups (P<0.05). Compared with the G(+) bacteria group, the G(-) bacteria and fungi groups had significantly higher rates of multiple births (P<0.0125). Compared with the G(+) bacteria and fungi groups, the rates of premature rupture of membranes >18 hours, grade III amniotic fluid contamination, and early-onset sepsis in the G(-) bacteria group were significantly higher (P<0.0125). Compared with the G(-) bacteria and fungi groups, the G(+) bacteria group showed significantly higher rates of abnormal body temperature, omphalitis or herpes as the symptom suggesting the onset of such disease (P<0.0125). The fungi group had significantly higher incidence rates of apnea and low platelet count than the G(+) and G(-) bacteria groups (P<0.0125). The comparison of length of hospital stay and total hospital costs between any two groups showed that the fungi group had a significantly longer hospital stay and significantly higher total hospital costs than the G(+) and G(-) bacteria groups (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONSSepsis caused by G(+) bacteria mainly occurs in full-term infants, and most cases of sepsis caused by G(-) bacteria belong to the early-onset type. Sepsis caused by fungi is more common in preterm infants and low birth weight infants, and has high incidence rates of apnea and low platelet count, as well as a longer hospital stay and higher hospital costs than sepsis caused by bacteria.

Bacteremia ; economics ; Female ; Fungemia ; economics ; Hospital Costs ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Infant, Premature ; Length of Stay ; Male

PURPOSE: Aim of this study is to investigate the characteristics and performance of colorectal-anal specialty vs. general hospitals for South Korean inpatients with colorectal-anal diseases, and assesses the short-term designation effect of the government's specialty hospital. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Nationwide all colorectal-anal disease inpatient claims (n=292158) for 2010-2012 were used to investigate length of stay and inpatient charges for surgical and medical procedures in specialty vs. general hospitals. The patients' claim data were matched to hospital data, and multi-level linear mixed models to account for clustering of patients within hospitals were performed. RESULTS: Inpatient charges at colorectal-anal specialty hospitals were 27% greater per case and 92% greater per day than those at small general hospitals, but the average length of stay was 49% shorter. Colorectal-anal specialty hospitals had shorter length of stay and a higher inpatient charges per day for both surgical and medical procedures, but per case charges were not significantly different. A "specialty" designation effect also found that the colorectal-anal specialty hospitals may have consciously attempted to reduce their length of stay and inpatient charges. Both hospital and patient level factors had significant roles in determining length of stay and inpatient charges. CONCLUSION: Colorectal-anal specialty hospitals have shorter length of stay and higher inpatient charges per day than small general hospitals. A "specialty" designation by government influence performance and healthcare spending of hospitals as well. In order to maintain prosperous specialty hospital system, investigation into additional factors that affect performance, such as quality of care and patient satisfaction should be carried out.
Adult ; Aged ; Anus Diseases/economics/*therapy ; Colonic Diseases/economics/*therapy ; Efficiency, Organizational ; Female ; Hospital Charges/*statistics & numerical data ; Hospitals, General/organization & administration ; Hospitals, Special/organization & administration ; Humans ; Inpatients/*statistics & numerical data ; Length of Stay/economics/*statistics & numerical data ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Outcome Assessment (Health Care)/economics/methods/*statistics & numerical data ; Rectal Diseases/economics/*therapy ; Republic of Korea

Medical equipment procurement authority provides sunshine supervisory channel for hospital staff by power operation monitoring software, which could operate in the open. The exercise of purchase rights should upload the content in accordance with the provisions of "internal control point". It could strengthen the procurement process control and ensure the orderly supervision links to further regulate bidding and purchasing behavior, which can prevent the exercise of uncontrolled power.
Purchasing, Hospital ; Surgical Equipment ; economics

PURPOSE: This study compared in-hospital mortality within 30 days of admission, lengths of stay, and inpatient charges among patients with heart failure admitted to public and private hospitals in South Korea. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We obtained health insurance claims data for all heart failure inpatients nationwide between November 1, 2011 and May 31, 2012. These data were then matched with hospital-level data, and multi-level regression models were examined. A total of 8406 patients from 253 hospitals, including 31 public hospitals, were analyzed. RESULTS: The in-hospital mortality rate within 30 days of admission was 0.92% greater and the mean length of stay was 1.94 days longer at public hospitals than at private hospitals (mortality: 5.18% and 4.26%, respectively; LOS: 12.08 and 10.14 days, respectively). The inpatient charges were 11.4% lower per case and 24.5% lower per day at public hospitals than at private hospitals. After adjusting for patient- and hospital-level confounders, public hospitals had a 1.62-fold higher in-hospital mortality rate, a 16.5% longer length of stay, and an 11.7% higher inpatient charge per case than private hospitals, although the charges of private hospitals were greater in univariate analysis. CONCLUSION: We recommend that government agencies and policy makers continue to monitor quality of care, lengths of stay in the hospital, and expenditures according to type of hospital ownership to improve healthcare outcomes and reduce spending.
Aged ; Female ; Heart Failure/economics/*mortality/therapy ; Hospital Charges/*statistics & numerical data ; Hospital Mortality ; Hospitalization/economics ; Hospitals, Private/*economics ; Hospitals, Public/*economics ; Humans ; Inpatients/*statistics & numerical data ; Length of Stay/economics/*statistics & numerical data ; Logistic Models ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Multivariate Analysis ; Outcome Assessment (Health Care)/economics ; Patient Discharge/economics/statistics & numerical data ; Republic of Korea/epidemiology ; Survival Analysis ; Time Factors

PURPOSE: This study compared in-hospital mortality within 30 days of admission, lengths of stay, and inpatient charges among patients with heart failure admitted to public and private hospitals in South Korea. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We obtained health insurance claims data for all heart failure inpatients nationwide between November 1, 2011 and May 31, 2012. These data were then matched with hospital-level data, and multi-level regression models were examined. A total of 8406 patients from 253 hospitals, including 31 public hospitals, were analyzed. RESULTS: The in-hospital mortality rate within 30 days of admission was 0.92% greater and the mean length of stay was 1.94 days longer at public hospitals than at private hospitals (mortality: 5.18% and 4.26%, respectively; LOS: 12.08 and 10.14 days, respectively). The inpatient charges were 11.4% lower per case and 24.5% lower per day at public hospitals than at private hospitals. After adjusting for patient- and hospital-level confounders, public hospitals had a 1.62-fold higher in-hospital mortality rate, a 16.5% longer length of stay, and an 11.7% higher inpatient charge per case than private hospitals, although the charges of private hospitals were greater in univariate analysis. CONCLUSION: We recommend that government agencies and policy makers continue to monitor quality of care, lengths of stay in the hospital, and expenditures according to type of hospital ownership to improve healthcare outcomes and reduce spending.
Aged ; Female ; Heart Failure/economics/*mortality/therapy ; Hospital Charges/*statistics & numerical data ; Hospital Mortality ; Hospitalization/economics ; Hospitals, Private/*economics ; Hospitals, Public/*economics ; Humans ; Inpatients/*statistics & numerical data ; Length of Stay/economics/*statistics & numerical data ; Logistic Models ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Multivariate Analysis ; Outcome Assessment (Health Care)/economics ; Patient Discharge/economics/statistics & numerical data ; Republic of Korea/epidemiology ; Survival Analysis ; Time Factors

Expounding the status of the current domestic medical equipment maintenance management, and puting forward the strategic thinking of medical maintenance for the challenges of equipment maintenance management in the hospital. This discussion can be performed to control the maintenance costs of hospital effectively, increase the income and social benefits of the hospital.
Costs and Cost Analysis ; Equipment and Supplies, Hospital ; Maintenance and Engineering, Hospital ; economics ; Materials Management, Hospital ; economics

BACKGROUNDThe new medical insurance policy (JRSYF(2010) No.255) was released by the Beijing Municipal Government and became effective on January 1, 2011. Medical expenses incurred during a stay in an emergency department (ED) observation unit can be reimbursed as a hospital admission. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of a new charging scheme during stays in ED observation unit under Beijing's Basic Medical Insurance.

METHODSData for those patients who had stayed in ED observation unit in 2010 (before the implementation of a new charging scheme) and 2012 (after the implementation of this policy) were retrospectively analyzed in terms of length of stay, patients who were observed (PO), and median medical costs.

RESULTSAfter the implementation of a new charging scheme, compared with the year of 2010, in year of 2012, there were statistically significant longer lengths of stay at the observation unit (6 (4-9) vs. 5 (4-7) days; P < 0.001), more PO (2 257 vs. 1 783; P < 0.001), and more median medical costs (RMB 6 026 vs. 3 650 Yuan; P < 0.01). The proportion of elderly patients (≥ 60 years of age) in 2012 was larger than that in 2010 (70.22% vs. 63.71%; P < 0.01). It was performed on those patients who were admitted after the implementation of a new charging scheme. Compared with patients who were not admitted had stayed in ED observation units, the patients who were admitted had stayed in ED observation units that had a higher proportion for >15 days (36.22% vs. 5.61%; P < 0.01); they had higher median medical costs RMB (9 186 vs. 5 668 Yuan; P < 0.001) and they were more elderly (≥ 60 years of age) (86.10% vs. 66.39%; P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONSThe new charging scheme under Beijing's Basic Medical Insurance allows patients to get access to inpatient admission more easily. It lowers patients' financial burden in ED observation unit. Since more people stay at ED observation unit, it increases ED payments by the insurance system. However, it slows the turnover rate of ED observation unit and causes overcrowding in ED. Hence, the advantages and disadvantages of the new policy are obvious.

Adult ; Aged ; Emergency Service, Hospital ; economics ; Female ; Hospitalization ; economics ; Humans ; Insurance, Health ; economics ; Length of Stay ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies

OBJECTIVEStudy the current quality management situation of enterprises marketing corneal contact lens via systemic investigations and explore effective administration countermeasures in the future.

METHODSThe quality management indicators of sixty-two corneal contact lens marketing enterprises in Xuhui district of Shanghai were systematically investigated and enterprises of different operation models was compared and analyzed.

RESULTSWholesale enterprises and retail chain enterprises are apparently better than independent enterprises almost in all facets.

CONCLUSIONFacilitate market accession of corneal contact lens marketing enterprises, encourage the business model of retail chain, enhance supervision of corneal contact lens marketing enterprises, especially independent franchisors.

Contact Lenses ; economics ; Marketing ; Materials Management, Hospital

This study aims to estimate the volume of unnecessarily utilized hospital outpatient services in Korea and quantify the total cost resulting from the inappropriate utilization. The analysis included a sample of 27,320,505 outpatient claims from the 2009 National Inpatient Sample database. Using the Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI), patients were considered to have received 'unnecessary hospital outpatient utilization' if they had a CCI score of 0 and were concurrently admitted to hospital for treatment of a single chronic disease - hypertension (HTN), diabetes mellitus (DM), or hyperlipidemia (HL) - without complication. Overall, 85% of patients received unnecessary hospital services. Also hospitals were taking away 18.7% of HTN patients, 18.6% of DM and 31.6% of HL from clinics. Healthcare expenditures from unnecessary hospital outpatient utilization were estimated at: HTN (94,058 thousands USD, 38.6% of total expenditure); DM (17,795 thousands USD, 40.6%) and HL (62,876 thousands USD, 49.1%). If 100% of patients who received unnecessary hospital outpatient services were redirected to clinics, the estimated savings would be 104,226 thousands USD. This research proves that approximately 85% of hospital outpatient utilizations are unnecessary and that a significant amount of money is wasted on unnecessary healthcare services; thus burdening the National Health Insurance Service (NHIS) and patients.
Chronic Disease/*economics/*epidemiology/therapy ; Comorbidity ; Delivery of Health Care/economics/utilization ; Health Care Costs/*statistics & numerical data ; Humans ; Outpatient Clinics, Hospital/*economics/*utilization ; Patient Admission/economics/statistics & numerical data ; Prevalence ; Republic of Korea/epidemiology ; Unnecessary Procedures/*economics/*utilization ; Utilization Review