The American Hospital Association Exclusively Endorses the Clinical Variation Solution™ from Verras

AHA EndorsementThe American Hospital Association (AHA) today announced it has exclusively endorsed the Clinical Variation Solution from Verras. AHA Solutions, Inc., a subsidiary of the AHA, awards the AHA Endorsement to products and services that help member hospitals and health care organizations achieve operational excellence. Following a proprietary due diligence process, Verras’ Clinical Variation Solution was selected for its leadership in providing objective metrics, effective change management methods and continuous quality improvement techniques that help health care organizations reduce clinical variation across the enterprise.

As the health care field continues to shift to a value-based environment, some hospitals and health systems are seeking to reduce clinical variation — variation within physician practice patterns and clinical and hospital processes — as a key to improving care quality and outcomes, the patient experience and operational efficiency.

“Verras’ solution helps health care organizations improve quality of care,” said Anthony J. Burke, senior vice president, American Hospital Association and president & CEO, AHA Solutions, Inc. “Going beyond traditional clinical variation solutions, the Clinical Variation Solution not only identifies variation, but also delivers on-site training and has the ability to facilitate physicians’ practice pattern changes at a granular level.”

The Verras solution uses patented medical informatics technologies to analyze internal clinical data and identify the key drivers of variation. After comparing each physician’s best practices and least efficiently managed cases, experienced clinical and operational consultants work with doctors, clinical managers and hospital executives on-site to elevate physicians’ everyday processes to match their own best practices. A Verras expert continues on-site to help hospital staff replicate best practices across the clinical enterprise and sustain care delivery improvements. Organizations employing Verras’ Clinical Variation Solution demonstrate improved outcomes and lower operating costs.

Clinical Variation Consulting“I am proud that after 30 years of perfecting our Clinical Variation Solution, we were able to meet the highest standard of achievement — an exclusive endorsement from the AHA,” said Dennis Patterson, PhD, chairman, Verras Healthcare International. “I am especially proud that our founder and chief medical officer, Dr. Bill Mohlenbrock, has seen his original vision of a diagnosis related group severity adjusted system recognized by this honor. We look forward to working with the AHA to use this solution to improve quality outcomes while reducing cost for hospitals and the patients they serve.”

"Since its inception in the 1980s, Verras has worked hard to establish a unique and integrated approach to reducing clinical variation,” said Kelly E. Styles, RN, PhD, partner in charge, Verras Healthcare International. “Today our services are transforming operations and improving hospital/physician relations while reducing costs and improving throughput. Verras is honored to be recognized by the AHA for our exclusive and comprehensive solutions for transforming 21st-century health care.”

About the American Hospital Association
The American Hospital Association (AHA) is a not-for-profit association of health care provider organizations and individuals that are committed to the improvement of health in their communities. The AHA is the national advocate for its members, who include nearly 5,000 member hospitals, health systems and other health care organizations and 43,000 individual members. Founded in 1898, the AHA provides education for health care leaders and is a source of information on health care issues and trends. Visit www.aha.org to learn more.

About AHA Solutions, Inc.
AHA Solutions, Inc. is a resource to hospitals pursuing operational excellence. As an AHA member service, AHA Solutions collaborates with hospital leaders to identify key challenges the field faces. We then work with market consultants to conduct the proprietary AHA Signature Due Diligence ProcessTM and identify solutions. AHA Solutions provides access to content experts and education to support product decision making. As a subsidiary of the AHA, the organization convenes people with like interests for knowledge sharing that is centered on timely information and research.

AHA Solutions is proud to reinvest its profits in the AHA Mission: To advance the health of individuals and communities. For more information, contact AHA Solutions at 800.242.4677 or visit www.aha-solutions.org.

About Verras, Ltd.
Established in 1983, Verras is the only company that helps hospitals reduce clinical costs by both identifying physician best practices at a granular level and then facilitating physician-directed implementation of those practices by working one on one with physicians in a collaborative style. The results: reduced clinical costs; improved clinical outcomes; reduced physician practice variability; ability to allocate bundled payments; improved physician/management relations; enhanced physician and patient satisfaction; and a healthier community. Verras, Ltd. is a member of Verras Healthcare International. More information is available at www.verras.com.

About Verras Healthcare International
Verras Healthcare International is an association of firms creating a culture of clinical excellence. These best in class firms are led by senior-level health care executives, and are proficient in regional market strategies, clinical quality improvements, and managing hospital operations and physician practices.