Analysis of Pennsylvania Health Care Cost Containment Council data by the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review found that in 2009, Pennsylvania hospitals charged more than $1.25 billion to treat readmissions due to avoidable infections or complications, according to a Tribune-Review report.
University of Pittsburgh Medical Center's Presbyterian and Shadyside hospitals spent $67 million — the most charges in Pennsylvania for infection-caused readmissions in 2009. Sixteen of the 20 highest-charging hospitals were from Philadelphia and its suburbs, according to the report.
The condition that produced the highest charges was congestive heart failure, accounting for more than $174 million.
The report said that although presently hospitals are financially incentivized to readmit patients, they will no longer receive reimbursements from Medicare and Medicaid for hospital-acquired infections starting in 2012, which may cause them to focus on reducing readmissions.
Read the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review report on cost of Pennsylvania infections.
Read more coverage on infections and readmissions:
- Hospital-Acquired Penalties Would Overlap, AHA Says
- Pennsylvania Hospital Infections Tied to Readmissions
- Illinois Blues, Hospital Association Partner to Reduce Readmission Rates
University of Pittsburgh Medical Center's Presbyterian and Shadyside hospitals spent $67 million — the most charges in Pennsylvania for infection-caused readmissions in 2009. Sixteen of the 20 highest-charging hospitals were from Philadelphia and its suburbs, according to the report.
The condition that produced the highest charges was congestive heart failure, accounting for more than $174 million.
The report said that although presently hospitals are financially incentivized to readmit patients, they will no longer receive reimbursements from Medicare and Medicaid for hospital-acquired infections starting in 2012, which may cause them to focus on reducing readmissions.
Read the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review report on cost of Pennsylvania infections.
Read more coverage on infections and readmissions:
- Hospital-Acquired Penalties Would Overlap, AHA Says
- Pennsylvania Hospital Infections Tied to Readmissions
- Illinois Blues, Hospital Association Partner to Reduce Readmission Rates
