Minnesota Public Radio reporter Lorna Benson recently spent a day at Mayo Clinic to learn why President Obama touts Mayo Clinic as a model for high quality, efficent health care. Benson got examples of both low tech and high tech methods Mayo uses to improve quality and efficiency, as well as a chance to talk values and principles with a Mayo Clinic physician. Read the Web version of the story; an audio link should become available shortly.
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3 Comments
Certainly an encouraging article, but it leaves one wondering how much the Mayo’s success can be duplicated in other areas of the nation. Some customization is certainly necessary.
Also, this is a very well balanced article, mentioning the pros and cons, and the implications for the ongoing health debate.
HCG –
Thank you for your comments. It is interesting that what Mayo is able to accomplish is demonstrated in many other areas of the country in many different ways. I encourage you to find out more about Intermountain Health Care; here is a great article from the New York Times ( http://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/08/magazine/08Healthcare-t.html?_r=1&scp=1&sq=intermountain&st=cse ). You can also look to Cleveland Clinic, Kaiser, Geisinger Clinic, Virginia Mason and many others.
They all have slightly different models and methods, but achieve excellent outcomes and safety at lower costs. I think the key point is that the idea of good value can be achieved, and is being achieved, whether or not the Mayo Model is followed exactly.