Clinical imperative versus economic consequence: exploring the cost burden and opportunities in the care of patients...

Balancing clinical quality, safety, and cost is not new to health care leaders; however, the current environment of public transparency coupled with unprecedented economic challenges has created a sense of urgency to this triathlon-like balance. The implementation of clinically proven, life-saving therapy in the care of patients with sepsis is one of the highest financial burdens incurred by acute care facilities; however, the absence of that care is known to be the leading cause of death in noncoronary intensive care units and the 10th leading cause of death worldwide. Can we afford to save these lives? Through root-cost analysis of intensive care unit-care in conjunction with population management strategies, the synergy of bundled therapies in driving positive clinical outcomes can be replicated in the achievement of an outcome bundle including quality improvement, safety enhancement, and financial stewardship.