"Super Bug" MRSA Is Topic Of U.S. Capitol Presentation
Highmark chief medical officer to discuss how QualityBLUE Program helps
April 14, 2008
PITTSBURGH – More than 1,700 reports related to methicillian-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), including 14 deaths, have been submitted to the Pennsylvania Patient Safety Reporting System from June 2004 through October 2007. Sharing dialogue on how Pennsylvania hospitals can implement safer practices against the spread of MRSA is the topic of discussion for Highmark senior vice president and chief medical officer, Don Fischer, M.D.
Dr. Fischer will take part in a national presentation at the U.S. Capitol on promoting and improving health care quality and value. The presentation on "Changing Incentives to Promote Better Care", will take place on April 15.
Dr. Fischer will discuss Highmark's QualityBLUE Program – a reimbursement incentive program that promotes safer hospital practices in over 30 hospitals in Pennsylvania. In 2007, this unique program prevented 900 central line blood infections, saving between $32.8 and $52 million in health care costs.
Reducing transmission of MRSA helps to prevent hospital-acquired infections that have an estimated cost of $36,000 per case to treat. Based on 2004 data, The Pennsylvania Health Care Cost Containment Council reported 13,722 hospitalized patients had a MRSA-related infection. Implementing the QualityBLUE program represents a real savings to the health care system.
The Highmark QualityBLUE Pay-for-Performance Program began in fiscal year 2002 with six hospitals. Today, more than 30 hospitals participate in the program in western Pennsylvania and the program was recently expanded to include one hospital in central Pennsylvania with further expansion projected for 2008.
About Highmark Inc.
As one of the leading health insurers in Pennsylvania, Highmark Inc.'s mission is to provide access to affordable, quality health care enabling individuals to live longer, healthier lives. Based in Pittsburgh, Highmark serves 4.6 million people through the company's health care benefits business. Highmark contributes millions of dollars to help keep quality health care programs affordable and to support community-based programs that work to improve people's health. Highmark exerts an enormous economic impact throughout Pennsylvania. A recent study states that Highmark's positive impact exceeded $2.5 billion. The company provides the resources to give its members a greater hand in their health.
Highmark Inc. is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association, an association of independent Blue Cross and Blue Shield Plans. For more information, visit www.highmark.com.
