Attending the Association of Health Care Journalists Conference this week has given many opportunities to consider the application of current health issues and trends to the correctional setting. A discussion of the Affordable Care Act by CMS Director Donald Berwick, MD, in a Newsmaker Briefing does not at first sound like something easily applied to health care in jails and prisons. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) administers Medicare payments,  a payment structure applying to only a small part of healthcare costs in correctional settings. However, his discussion of reducing health care costs could have some application. He stated that our opportunity is to lower cost by improving the care; that the best way to make the care more affordable and sustainable is to improve it. A bit counterintuitive, as first blush, but he goes further. Using the example of technology, Dr. Berwick reminds us that improvements in computers and smart phones came from learning how to make them differently such as using lean production methods. He suggests that these methods can be applied to health care. To apply these principles in healthcare we have to execute properly, which includes removing waste from processes and defects from care. He contends that there are two ways to save money – cut or improve. A lot of talk today is about cutting but Dr. Berwick suggests improvement is a better way.

Can this concept be applied to correctional healthcare? Can we see cost savings by improving the care delivered or the care delivery system? It is an intriguing concept to consider. Generally the thought is that it costs money to improve care. Could it save money? What do you think?

Photo Credit: ©sellingpix fotolia