Dear Colleagues:

The Utilization Management Team recently launched its FY 05 program (see related cover story). This multidisciplinary team is charged with developing new methods to increase efficiencies and improve the patient experience beyond the excellent health care we provide.

Improvements in pharmacy, radiology, the blood bank, operating rooms and lab usage have been proposed. Within these departments the team will work with internal users to establish guidelines and strategies for best use of available resources.

Results to date are impressive. The team saved $1 million in operating costs in medication utilization during FY 04. It has identified specific ways to save an additional $1 million during FY 05, and with full support by all of us, possibly more.

The Utilization Management Team is now working out implementation of the new processes with medical staff throughout the hospital and clinics. BWH is allocating technology and information system resources for improvements in ordering and communication. With everyone’s cooperation, these processes and systems will reach the potential for which they were designed.

Making these savings permanent means healthier operating margins for BWH and safeguarding our ability to maintain our core mission and values.

Sincerely,

Andy Whittemore, MD
Chief Medical Officer