In a competitive environment, how can a hospital protect its profit margins? With PCI, shortening the length of stay and reducing risk may provide answers.

Using transradial rather than transfemoral access for PCI saves a hospital on average $553, according to an analysis published in the March issue of the American Heart Journal. Much of the decrease in costs was attributed to a shorter post-procedural length of stay, “and that [savings] went up to $1,000 in people who were at high risk to bleed,” the senior author told Cardiovascular Business. 

Renal denervation systems, percutaneous aortic valve replacement technologies and bioabsorbable coronary stents lead the pack for innovative cardiovascular devices in Novation’s spring 2013 CV Watch report.

If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again. That appears to be the mantra for the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), which once again revised penalties for preventable hospital readmissions for MI, heart failure and pneumonia.

Only two states received a grade of A for having laws that advance transparency of healthcare pricing. More than half the states in the union earned an F for failing to ensure consumers have access to pricing information.

SAN FRANCISCO—Hospitals may be able to stay one step ahead as healthcare marches toward bundled payments if a piloted model unveiled March 9 proves robust. The pilot study was presented in a poster at the American College of Cardiology (ACC) scientific session.

SAN FRANCISCO—Treating atrial fibrillation patients with apixaban may lighten the burden on the healthcare system, according to a poster presentation March 10 at the American College of Cardiology (ACC) scientific session. The analysis of ARISTOTLE data gave apixaban an edge over warfarin for resource use.

SAN FRANCISCO—Cardiology practices can position themselves optimally for renegotiating fair market value after the initial five-year contract by employing thorough and deliberate preparation strategies, according to a presentation March 10 at the American College of Cardiology (ACC) scientific session.