New health care research agency reflects interest in evaluating quality

Article Abstract:

Congress has recently created the Agency for Health Care Policy and Research within the US Public Health Service. This new agency will be involved in research on health care services and delivery systems and has three main activities: (1) research on outcomes, (2) technology assessment, and (3) development of medical practice guidelines. To enhance the quality, appropriateness, and effectiveness of health care services, they will also conduct demonstration projects and training programs and distribute information on health care services. The functions of this new agency will be similar to those of the National Center for Health Services Research, which the Agency for Health Care Policy and Research replaces. In bureaucratic terms, the new agency has as much authority as the Food and Drug Administration, the National Institutes of Health, and the Centers for Disease Control, and will have a budget of $98.8 million. This development results from the recognition that effective medical care delivery systems are important, both in decreasing financial pressures on the health care system and in evaluating new technologies. Since 1987, programs on outcomes research, 'effectiveness initiative', and several workshops dealing with outcomes of several specific clinical conditions were carried out. Thus, the ultimate goal of the Agency for Health Care Policy and Research is to improve the quality and appropriateness of care. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Standards, Evaluation, Health planning, Medical care, Cost of, Health care costs, Powers and duties, Health services administration, Medical technology

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Federal agency focuses on outcomes research

Article Abstract:

Patient Outcomes Research Teams (PORTs) and outcomes research are two of the methods used by the U.S. Agency for Health Care Policy and Research to determine the relationship between treatments for different diseases and conditions and their efficacy. PORTs are four-step programs of comprehensive studies carried out over five-year periods. Outcomes research generally contributes to the more extensive research done by the PORTs. Outcomes research focuses on data that can be obtained from patient records. PORTs do not eliminate the need for randomized controlled trials, but they are able to examine different aspects of treatment such as the development of complications or how widely a certain technology is used. Clinical trials are the next step for the agency, but that will have to wait until their budget grows.

Management, Medical research

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Like Trying to Get Blood From a . . . Federal Agency

Article Abstract:

Many hospitals and blood banks may not be able to provide patients with blood products if the Health Care Financing Administration (HCFA) changes the way Medicare reimburses these services. In the past, hospitals simply billed Medicare for the cost of the service. However, HCFA now proposes a payment schedule based on the type of service provided. All hospitals would get the same amount even though they might provide different blood products. Some hospital officials believe Health and Human Services Secretary Donna Shalala should exclude certain blood products, which would be billed as usual.

Finance, United States. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, Blood products

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