Viki will be presenting at the American Health Care Association Conference on 10/12/10

Viki will be giving a presentation at the American Health Care Association Conference on October 12, 2010 from 8-10am PST.

As the nation’s largest association of long term and post-acute care providers, the American Health Care Association (AHCA) advocates for quality care and services for frail, elderly and disabled Americans. Compassionate and caring employees provide essential care to one million individuals in our 11,000 not-for-profit and proprietary member facilities.

The ultimate focus is on providing quality care to the nation’s frail, elderly and disabled, who are served by the long term care professionals who comprise AHCA’s membership. These providers believe that the individuals whom they serve are entitled to a supportive environment in which professional and compassionate care is delivered. This belief compels AHCA, its affiliates and member providers to advocate for individuals who – because of social needs, disability, trauma or illness – require services provided in a long term care setting, while also advocating for the continuing vitality of long term care provider community.

AHCA believes this necessitates their commitment to developing necessary and reasonable public policies which balance economic and regulatory principles to support quality care and quality of life, and is dedicated to professionalism and ethical behavior among all who provide long term care.

Have a kind and respectful day.

Healthcare Quality and Efficiency Report – For those who are interested in real numbers and information about global healthcare issues

A new, “Healthcare Quality and Efficiency Report” has been released. This report contains information for those of you who are interested in real numbers and information about global healthcare issues. This is not a political piece of information but a factual reference guide discussing how healthcare is measured and the financial issues that healthcare is facing. You may want to forward this to your local and national politicians, insurance company, your healthcare providers and/or your local hospitals.

http://www.soa.org/research/health/research-quality-report.aspx

Executive Summary:

Healthcare quality and efficiency play an important role for both the overall economy and healthcare consumers. Affordable healthcare is crucial to the financial stability of many workers and retirees, making quality and efficiency of programs particularly relevant during periods of economic challenges. Moreover, quality and efficiency are likely to occupy a prominent position in any healthcare system reform effort. This is particularly true given the fundamental issues in the United States, such as the decentralized nature of the healthcare system, often poorly-aligned payment structures and the complexity of roles assumed by service providers.

In light of the current overlap of political, economic, and other environmental factors, the healthcare industry is changing rapidly. As a result, the Society of Actuaries Health Section and Solucia Consulting have co-sponsored this research project. This report reviews and inventories the wide range of quality and efficiency measures currently available for hospitals and physicians.