Flexible plans, not clinical practice guidelines, reduce variation and improve care
Developing and implementing standardized clinical assessment and management plans (SCAMP) could help hospitals reduce variation and improve care, according to a study published in Health Affairs. The study points to SCAMPs as flexible guidelines that allow for modification based on analyzing data and new medical literature. Compare to clinical practice guidelines, which do not allow for adjustment in care, SCAMPs are able to be evaluated and developed.
The study found that the use of SCAMPs at Boston Children’s Hospital was associated with more than $700,000 in savings for a group of 1,000 patients, and an 11% to 51% decrease in total medical expenses for six conditions. The rate of ideal outcomes also grew when using SCAMPs.
Source: Fierce Healthcare