Improving productivity: a payer/provider debate

In the world of healthcare, there is a great deal of passion about productivity. Even mention of the word sparks internal angst and intense discussion--among providers and payers alike. Creating dialogue about productivity and its merits was the motivating force behind a debate at the American Organization of Nurse Executives 31st Annual Meeting in San Diego, California. Payer and provider representatives were given an opportunity to define and elaborate key factors that drive or inhibit productivity and core issues related to an important coexisting variable, that is, quality. The debate was moderated by Ann Van Slyck, MSN, RN, CNAA, FAAN, President of Van Slyck & Associates, Inc., of Phoenix, Arizona.