University of Pittsburgh Medical Center’s Presbyterian and Shadyside hospitals spent $67 million — the most charges in Pennsylvania for infection-caused readmissions in 2009. Sixteen of the 20 highest-charging hospitals were from Philadelphia and its suburbs, according to the report.
The condition that produced the highest charges was congestive heart failure, accounting for more than $174 million.
The report said that although presently hospitals are financially incentivized to readmit patients, they will no longer receive reimbursements from Medicare and Medicaid for hospital-acquired infections starting in 2012, which may cause them to focus on reducing readmissions.
Read the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review report on cost of Pennsylvania infections.
Read more coverage on infections and readmissions:
– Hospital-Acquired Penalties Would Overlap, AHA Says
– Pennsylvania Hospital Infections Tied to Readmissions
– Illinois Blues, Hospital Association Partner to Reduce Readmission Rates
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