Show Hospitals To Seek Greater Efficiency Ten Utah hospitals have pledged themselves to implement implement implement ment Guiding Principles designed designed designed de de- de- de signed to effect efficiency and economy in hospital manage manage- ment GUIDING PRINCIPLES for Hospitals developed by the Utah State Hospital Association provides a uniform framework for the of hospital hospital hospital hos hos- pital charges While not at attempting attempting attempting at- at tempting to set uniform rates the Principles provide for the establishment of charges that closely reflect the hospitals hospital's costs for services appearing on the hospital billing state state- men ment t. t Thomas J. J Hartford Jr president of the Utah State Hospital Association says the statement provides definitions of hospital services that will better inform the public of the service components which make up the hospitals hospital's daily service charge as well as the other items to be found on the hospital bill Hospitals are more than suppliers of equipment and technicians he says and Hand knowledge of the philosophy under which the hospital operates is essential essential essential essen essen- to a true understanding of the hospital and its business practices UNDER THE principles establishing hospital charges Only services ordered by the physician or necessary routine procedures established by the medical staff are charged to the patient GOVERNMENT AND voluntary voluntary voluntary vol vol- government agencies contracting for hospital services services services ices will be billed full charges incurred in providing services for which they are responsible under agreements with hos hos- Charges for hospital services services services ices and accommodations will willbe willbe willbe be based upon and related to full cost of the hospitals hospital's operations and supplies provided in relatively relatively relatively rela rela- equal quantities to all patients will be included in inthe inthe inthe the daily room service charges Services and supplies not provided in relatively equal quantities to all patients must have sufficient monetary or control value to justify making making making mak mak- ing a separate charge VARIATION IN charges for daily hospital services should reflect differences based on the amount and type of service and type of accommodations provided For full public understanding understand ing o of l b hosp s it ital's ls l's rate structure the hospital will furnish each patient a readily understandable single accounting regardless of the source of reimbursement to the hospital EACH HOSPITAL will prepare prepare prepare pre pre- pare financial statements by cost centers at least annually and hospital rates will be based on and specifically related related related re re- to the cost of the service service service ice rendered Each hospital accepting the Principles agrees to make available to its patients an explanation of what is included in its charges COMPLIANCE with the Principles is mandatory for participating hospitals A Hospital Association committee committee committee com com- will be given authority to recommend removal from the program of any hospital not complying with the Prin Prin- HOSPITALS WHICH have applied for participation and have been accepted by the Utah State Hospital Association are Cottonwood Hospital Holy Cross Hospital Hospital Hospital Hospital Hos Hos- pital McKay-Dee McKay Hospital St. St Benedicts Benedict's Hospital South Davis Community Hospital San Juan County Hospital Tooele Valley Hospital Wa Way Wasatch Wasatch satch County Hospital and Weber Memorial Hospital |