Benchmarking: the key to influencing physicians

Managing physicians to achieve cost reductions can seem impossible, especially when managed care penetration is low. Physicians feel little pressure to change when asked merely to cut costs, especially when their boat is not rocking. But physicians will respond to benchmarking data on CPT-coded procedures that are directly comparable to their own practices. When surgeons see that others take less time to perform a procedure and/or use fewer and lower cost supplies, their competitive spirits are aroused. They become inquisitive about why this is so and then are eager to change by trying new methods and improving their techniques. Science is the key motivator, not savings. When benchmarking recommendations are implemented in a facility, better practice and substantial cost savings are the positive results.