BSN Assignment Help- Cost Control Policies

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Hello, I am an RN working on my BSN. For my assignment this week, I have to find a policy at a healthcare organization related to cost controls. I have been looking on the websites of my local hospitals for any cost related policies and I am having a difficult time finding anything. For those currently working in a healthcare facility, would you please share any cost control policies in place. thank you!

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Specializes in Physiology, CM, consulting, nsg edu, LNC, COB.

Think about what hospital costs are. Then remember that a policy that will affect them doesn't necessarily have to use words like "cost," "price," "money," or the like.

What's a hospital's biggest line-item cost?

Nursing.

How do they limit how much they spend on it? Salary compression, caps and ranges; raises, seniority, overtime, unions, travel nurses vs benefits...Look at all those before you start thinking of how many Foley kits get wasted or cost for disposable linens in the OR....

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Specializes in Vents, Telemetry, Home Care, Home infusion.

Search " hospital cost containment strategies"  will yield many responses.

Strategies affecting employees include:

  • Offering high-deductible health plans (HDHPs)
  • Shifting costs to employees.
  • Offering virtual care, such as telemedicine.
  • Offering health savings accounts (HSAs)
  • Performing claims analysis.
  • Making changes to coinsurance

Years ago,  unit's supply cart had poster attached with prices for most popular along with high cost items listed --eye opening to many staff with decrease in amounts wasted.  Staff stopped opening 2nd foley cath kit with foley bag just to get 2nd foley, instead selected just catheter itself when first cath unsuccessful, therefore saving facility monies.

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Specializes in LPN School Nurse.

Unless you're greatly inflating the prices for things, the trays aren't a whole lot more expensive than just the foley but I see the general point.   I only know this because I'm responsible for actually ordering the supplies for my department.   I end up buying the "add a cath" trays anyhow because that allows me more sizing flexibility.

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