Acellular Dermal Matrix Versus Inferior Deepithelialized Flap Breast Reconstruction: Equivalent Outcomes, with Increased Cost.

Background: Approximately 250,000 new cases of breast cancer are diagnosed yearly in the U.S. resulting in more postmastectomy breast reconstructions (PMBRs).

The path to cost transformation.

A healthcare organization's efforts to strategically transform its cost structure in preparation for value-based payment invariably must begin with a systemwide assessment of cost and quality. Such an assessment should focus on three categories of performance improvement activities: margin improvement, business restructuring, and clinical transformation. A work-team approach is recommended, where teams with multidisciplinary representation assume responsibility for assessing specific areas (e.

Reconfiguring your delivery network.

Five tactics can help heath systems overcome common hurdles they may encounter in their efforts to reconfigure their delivery networks for value-based payment: Develop a shared perspective of the changing market. Translate this market perspective into guiding principles. Adopt a "blueprint" approach.

Finding the best strategy for service distribution.

To determine appropriate levels of care and access, while maximizing quality and capital resources, a service distribution plan fully defines: How the organization will serve the market, How each of the system's operations will relate to other operations, How clinical resources will be organized and deployed, The financial impact of the service distribution plan on the overall organization.

Patterns and implications of lower extremity injuries in a community level I trauma center.

This study examined specific types of lower extremity injuries, their treatment, and trends in length of stay (LOS) as seen in an academic community hospital. The authors' trauma registry was queried for lower extremity injuries requiring surgical intervention from 1992 to 2000. A total of 5567 patients were identified.