Standardising practice in cardiology: reducing clinical variation and cost at Ochsner Health System.

Objective: Low quality and unwarranted clinical variation harm patients and increase unnecessary costs. Effective approaches to improve clinical and economic value have been difficult. The Ochsner Health System looked to improve clinical care quality and reduce unnecessary costs in cardiology using active measurement and customised feedback.

Evaluation of the Quality Blue Primary Care program on health outcomes.

Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the role of the Quality Blue Primary Care (QBPC) program on healthcare utilization and overall cost among the beneficiaries of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana (BCBSLA).

Study Design: Retrospective observational cohort study using claims data from adults residing in QBPC-implemented regions continuously enrolled through BCBSLA from June 2012 to December 2014 (N = 89,034).

Methods: Controlling for age, gender, and risk score by propensity score weighting, inpatient, outpatient, and corresponding medical expenditures were each compared between the QBPC group and the control group using a difference-in-differences regression model.