Using 2012 claims data from the Minnesota All Payer Claims Database and an analytics platform developed by 3M, the health department calculated the number of potentially preventable hospital and emergency department visits.
The analysis determined the 1.3 million potentially preventable visits equaled nearly $2 billion in preventable spending by employers, health plans and individuals.
According to the report, approximately 50,000 patients had four or more potentially preventable ED visits a year, mostly for infections of the upper respiratory tract, abdominal pain and musculoskeletal system and connective tissue diagnoses. Additionally, the top three conditions for admissions that could have been prevented were pneumonia, heart failure and chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder.
“Minnesota has one of the most efficient and cost-effective health care systems in the nation but this study shows we still have room for improvement,” said Ed Ehlinger, MD, Minnesota commissioner of health. “Equipped with these findings, we will work with providers and community leaders to ensure patients more consistently receive the right care, in the right place at the right time.”
More articles on health IT:
Dr. John Halamka made his entire medical record available online: Here’s why
Houston hospital unveils robotic doctor
University of Colorado Health CIO Steve Hess: The journey from fragmented IT systems to systemwide EHR implementation
