WASHINGTON, July 12, 2011 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- According to a new study to be published in the journal Social Science and Medicine, top-performing hospitals are typically ones headed by a medical doctor rather than a manager.
Study author Amanda Goodall, PhD, traced the personal and professional backgrounds of the leaders of 300 prominent United States hospitals and compared their credentials against reported hospital quality data. The research concluded that hospital quality scores are approximately 25% higher in physician-run hospitals than those headed by a trained manager.
Goodall's study did not explain the difference in quality outcomes, but in an interview in ScienceDaily she said, "Over the last few decades there has been a growing tendency for hospital boards to appoint managers as CEOs. These findings raise some warning signs over that trend."
"We believe physician ownership is one of the main reasons patients rank our hospitals first in 20 states, despite the fact we make up less than 5% of hospitals in the country," said Dr. Michael Russell, president of the Physician Hospitals of America (PHA). "We are watching Dr. Goodall's research carefully because it provides additional evidence that seems obvious - healthcare works best when doctors and patients are in control."
Section 6001 of the Affordable Care Act actually prohibits new construction or expansion of physician owned hospitals. This provision restricts patient choice and limits access to quality care. Much needed expansion projects are halted at over 30 existing hospitals and more than 40 hospitals are in a state of uncertainty because they were not certified by Medicare in time to meet the December 31st deadline. These facilities could provide care for approximately 300,000 additional patients. With 30 million new patients entering the healthcare system, this country desperately needs more choice and more access – not less.
Leslie Fossey
(903) 539-7712 / leslie@azaleaortho.com
Scott Christiansen
(312) 961-4745 / scott@physicianhospitals.org
About Physician Hospitals of America
PHA offers support, advocacy and educational services to the physician‐owned hospital industry, reflecting at all times the best interests of patients, physicians and other providers who play an inextricable and essential role in the provision of healthcare services. There are currently 275 physician‐ owned hospitals serving patients in 33 states. These hospital s include general acute care, long term acute care, emergency medicine, multi‐specialty, women's, children's, rehabilitation and psychiatric. For more information visit: www.phapulse.org.
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