UnitedHealthcare launches program to rate cardiac care facilities
Minneapolis / St. Paul Business Journal - by Carissa Wyant Staff Writer
UnitedHealthcare said Thursday it will launch a program to provide consumers with better access to information on cardiac-care facilities.
The unit of Minnetonka-based UnitedHealth Group (NYSE: UNH) said that they are making the move in response to a recent study published in the New England Journal of Medicine, which found a need for more, "round-the-clock" access to quality urgent cardiac care.
The study showed that higher mortality rates occurred in patients admitted for heart attacks on weekends versus weekdays. One factor the study eluded to was variation in hospital staffing and capacity. The study also concluded that "better access to care on weekends could improve the outcome for patients with acute myocardial infarctions."
The insurer said it will recognize hospitals that meet specific requirements for emergency cardiac treatment. The company said it is the first national insurer to do so.
Nearly 300 hospitals nationwide have been singled out for providing top care, the company said. It takes into account criteria such as having cardiac specialists available within 30 minutes after a patient is admitted.
Consumers can access a list of the cardiac specialty centers online at www.unitedhealthcare.com.
cwyant@bizjournals.com | (612) 288-2108
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