News Releases

In partnership with Rand Corporation, Health Services Advisory Group (HSAG) sponsored a one-day information exchange with representatives from Taiwan?s National Health Bureau (NHB). The meeting occurred on November 18 in Phoenix, Arizona at HSAG Headquarters.

NHB representatives included Jin-Long Lin, President; I-Ming Pan, Senior Staff, Negotiator; Hsin-Tsung Huang, Director, Data Analysis; and Wen-Fu Tseng, Staff, Medical Review Committee. The objectives for their visit were to: 1) learn about the role of the QIO, 2) learn about QI in various health settings, and 3) gather information in preparation for a two-year rollout of the DRG system in their country.

HSAG and QI staff from the Mayo Clinic Hospital, University Medical Center, Good Samaritan Hospital and St. Joseph?s Hospital presented on the use of DRGs to improve quality in hospitals. HSAG speakers included meeting facilitator Anita C. Murcko, Chief Medical Officer; Ardie Ostrom, Case Review Manager; and Charlie Chapin, Director of Healthcare Evaluation.

During the meeting the NHB representatives expressed a special interest in:

• how QIOs measure and assist in hands-on QI in facilities
• how Arizona community hospitals use patient safety as the focus for decreasing costs by targeting major complications
• how Information Technology is used to achieve QI

The cross-cultural exchange proved to be informative for the US hosts as well. NHB representatives shared insight into several fascinating aspects of the Taiwan health system, such as:

• the use of a National Health Data Card containing a microchip with patient data
• mega-hospitals capable of holding close to 6,000 beds
• an industry with an over-supply of nurses
• hospital CEOs who are both physicians and shareholders motivated by financial incentives

The November 2003 visit marked the beginning of a promising long-term international relationship. In addition to sharing an in-depth information packet, the NHB representatives extended to HSAG an invitation for a future visit Taiwan to learn more about their health care system first hand.