Healthcare costs and outcomes: a value-based assessment tool for Clinical Governance

Abstract Issue/problem Health systems sustainability is a critical public health issue. A value-based approach is essential to improve patient-centeredness, appropriateness, quality and funding allocation in healthcare. Description of the problem This project was aimed to develop an innovative transferable tool to assess value-based activities in Hospital by monitoring care pathways costs and outcomes. Main questions were to: assess cost and outcome variance in homogeneous groups of patients; evaluate clinical activities contribution to the hospital budget; identify and monitor critical points. In 2018 a Business Intelligence system fed by different Hospital datasets was developed and tested in a Teaching Hospital in Rome to quantify and integrate data on pathways efficacy and costs. It was based on an algorithm of 20 indicators related to Women and Child Care Pathways. Results Preliminary results showed a great variance for the same intervention/procedure concerning length of stay (3-8 days), waiting times (1-4 days), innovative technologies costs (2000-6000€) and obsolete reimbursement rates (2000-5000€) that do not guarantee adequate economic contribution margins. Improvement actions were defined concerning pathways’ workflow and organizational appropriateness. The need for negotiations with Ministry of Health was highlighted, aimed to update reimbursement rates. Lessons The tool, built on a value-based process view, allowed analyzing online outcomes and costs data aggregated by path, benchmarking results, identifying critical issues and providing improvement solutions. It turned out to be an innovative methodology - also applicable in other settings/countries - to trigger changes in health management and pursue quality and efficiency in healthcare. Key messages Value-based healthcare is the new public health paradigm. Assessing simultaneously Hospital costs and outcomes is a valuable way to derive overall healthcare value, improve quality and rationalize resources allocation.