In order to address the problem of financing hospital services, San Carlos General Hospital of Pangasinan Province in the Philippines decided to embark on a revenue enhancement initiative. With technical assistance from MSH, the hospital staff utilized CORE - a computer-based tool to analyze hospital income and expenditure. Based on the results of the analysis and further review of the hospital’s financial management system, the hospital managers were able to identify problems in the classification of patients for purposes of charging fees, inadequacies in filling prescriptions in the hospital pharmacy and problems in pricing laboratory services.
Given the results of the analysis, the hospital management decided to modify existing and introduce new policies as follows: 1. A new patient classification scheme was introduced 2. A policy requiring physicians to prescribe only those drugs that are found in the hospital pharmacy and in accordance with therapeutic guidelines was issued 3. Prices of laboratory services were updated
Within a month of introducing these new policies the monthly income of the hospital increased by 100%. After six months the hospital income increased by more than 500%.
Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, the participants in this session will be able to: 1. Describe the steps involved in analyzing hospital income and expenditure using CORE. 2. List the benefits and advantages in the application of this financial management tool.
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: Management Sciences for Health, Pangasinan Provincial Hospital
I have a significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.
Relationship: employment