Case Studies

Despite widespread acknowledgment of waste and inefficiency in the U.S. health care system, there have not been dramatic breakthroughs that point the way to more cost-effective alternatives. The problems that contribute to high costs and mediocre quality are complex and intertwined with the organization and financing of health services. There are, however, changes under way within leading organizations that suggest significant improvements in quality and value can be achieved. In 2008, the Leapfrog Group's Hospital Recognition Program began identifying hospitals that have made "big leaps in health care safety, quality, and customer value." Thirteen hospitals out of nearly 1,300 who voluntarily submitted data in 2008 achieved top scores in quality of care while keeping resource use low. To learn what opportunities exist for all hospitals to achieve greater efficiency, we conducted case studies of four of the 13 Leapfrog Group-designated "Highest Value Hospitals." These included Fairview Southdale Hospital in Edina, Minn., North Mississippi Medical Center in Tupelo, Miss., Park Nicollet Methodist Hospital in St. Louis Park, Minn., and Providence St. Vincent Medical Center in Portland, Ore. This paper offers a synthesis of lessons from their experiences.  — View Case Study

Fairview Southdale Hospital was recognized as one of 13 "Highest Value Hospitals" by the Leapfrog Group in 2008, based on efficiency scores that took into account quality of care as well as resource utilization. The hospital, which was selected from nearly 1,300 hospitals that had voluntarily submitted data, received a top efficiency score for all four conditions/procedures examined: coronary artery bypass graft, percutaneous coronary interventions, treatment of acute myocardial infarction, and pneumonia care.  — View Case Study

North Mississippi Medical Center (NMMC) in Tupelo, Mississippi, was designated a Highest Value Hospital in 2008 for achieving a top efficiency score (reflecting both the quality of care and resource use) from the Leapfrog Group for coronary artery bypass graft, percutaneous coronary interventions, and pneumonia care. Leaders at NMMC believe that by focusing on serving patients, empowering staff, and improving health care quality, lower costs and growth will naturally follow.  — View Case Study

Park Nicollet Methodist Hospital (Methodist) is the single hospital of Park Nicollet Health Services, an integrated health care delivery system based in St. Louis Park, Minnesota. Approximately 96 percent of the hospital's admissions are patients served by the systems' integrated multispecialty group practice, which comprises 25 clinics in the West Metro section of Minneapolis. Methodist serves about 27,000 patients per year in a region that has been leading the country in health care quality and payment innovations.  — View Case Study

Providence St. Vincent Medical Center was recognized by the Leapfrog Group as a "Highest Value Hospital" in 2008. But it was its pursuit of quality and accessibility, not efficiency, which appears to have been the driving force behind its success. The designation can be traced to three notable initiatives: its Safe Patient Access Capacity Enhancement (SPACE) project, the simplification of surgical orders, and the use of staff councils to address safety concerns.  — View Case Study