Information Technology and Medical Missteps: Evidence from a Randomized Trial

Jonathan C. Javitt, James Rebitzer and Lonny Reisman

No 13493, NBER Working Papers from National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc

Abstract: We analyze the effect of a decision support tool designed to help physicians detect and correct medical "missteps". The data comes from a randomized trial of the technology on a population of commercial HMO patients. The key findings are that the new information technology lowers average charges by 6% relative to the control group. This reduction in resource utilization was the result of reduced in-patient charges (and associated professional charges) for the most costly patients. The rate at which identified issues were resolved was generally higher in the study group than in the control group, suggesting the possibility of improvements in care quality along measured dimensions and enhanced diffusion of new protocols based on new clinical evidence.

JEL-codes: I12 M15 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2007-10
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-hea
Note: EH LS
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Published as Javitt, Jonathan C. & Rebitzer, James B. & Reisman, Lonny, 2008. "Information technology and medical missteps: Evidence from a randomized trial," Journal of Health Economics, Elsevier, vol. 27(3), pages 585-602, May.

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Journal Article: Information technology and medical missteps: Evidence from a randomized trial (2008)
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