Medical Technology Modernization and Strategic Planning: Shaping Army Health Care
Abstract
The Army Medical Department (AMEDD) requires a well-conceived and well-managed health care delivery system to provide authorized beneficiaries with high-quality medical services, quickly and inexpensively. Such a delivery system depends upon the modernization of the medical technologies it uses to produce services. However, the AMEDD equates medical technology primarily with expensive equipment or unique military applications of preventive medicine. This incomplete view denies the AMEDD an essential appreciation of the full scope and nature of its performance measurement and technology modernization challenge. The risk of harm and excessive cost, therefore, is higher than it needs to be. The AMEDD's Gateway to Care program for managed care contains many initiatives for improved health care delivery. Unfortunately, Gateway to Care policy perpetuates the traditional medical technology culture. Decisions to acquire and employ medical technologies remain decentralized. Overall system performance may suffer while individual hospitals remain autonomous. We recommend that the AMEDD adopt centralized methods for prospectively evaluating medical technologies. Key to these evaluations is establishing an AMEDD Strategic Technology and Clinical Policy Council - with membership from the consultant staff - to oversee the technology assessment and product line management process. Linking medical technology modernization and strategic planning will improve health care delivery and help achieve quality, access, and cost performance goals established for the Gateway to Care program.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 1993
- Accession Number
- ADA276592
Entities
People
- George L. Slyman
- Gilbert L. Goldman
Organizations
- LMI