BOSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--
Health Dialog, a leading provider of integrated population health management solutions for health plans, risk-bearing providers and self-insured employers, announced today that the Washington State Health Care Authority has certified its award-winning decision aids for hip and knee surgery. The decision aids help patients who are considering joint replacement surgery for hip or knee osteoarthritis make more informed decisions about surgery that reflect their lifestyle and values. Studies show Health Dialog’s decision aids for hip and knee replacement surgeries were associated with significant declines in elective surgery and attendant costs.
Decision aids are tools that facilitate shared decision making (SDM), a 20-year-old practice. SDM helps patients choose evidence-based and often less invasive care, achieve better health outcomes and be happier with both their care and their provider by engaging them in their treatment choice. A study conducted by Group Health and published in Health Affairs analyzed results from the use of Health Dialog’s hip and knee decision aids, which showed:
- Knee replacement surgeries declined by 38% after 18 months
- Hip replacement surgeries declined by 26% after 18 months
- Costs declined by 12-21% after 6 months
“The State of Washington has shown true leadership in promoting shared decision making, a practice that has helped engage patients in their care, improve patient satisfaction and health outcomes and reduce wasteful medical costs,” said Peter Goldbach, M.D. Chief Medical Officer for Health Dialog. “Washington’s most recent review process, which certified just four decision aids, will help to expand the benefits of this important practice to people in Washington and across the country. We’re pleased that our aids were among those certified.”
Many of the nation’s leading medical organizations endorse the use of SDM for improving care quality while reducing costs, including the Institute of Medicine, U.S. Preventive Services Task Force and American Medical Association. Last month, the National Quality Foundation issued a Call to Action to make shared decision making a standard of care. Health Dialog’s decision aids have collectively earned the company more than 100 industry awards for content, ease-of-use and design. For more information or to access a recent white paper on shared decision making, please visit http://info.healthdialog.com/download-white-paper-implementing-shared-decision-making
The Washington State Health Care Authority‘s chief medical officer certifies decision aids in consultation with a review panel and input from subject matter experts. More information about the State of Washington’s program, including the listing of decision aids, is available at: https://www.hca.wa.gov/about-hca/healthier-washington/certified-aids
About Health Dialog:
Health Dialog is a leading provider of population health management solutions. The company works with the nation’s largest third-party payers, employers and providers to improve the health and wellness of their members, employees and patients while reducing costs and improving performance in key quality measures, such as NCQA’s HEDIS and CMS’ Stars ratings. Health Dialog’s unique capabilities include analytics, a patient portal, a multi-channel coaching platform, shared decision-making tools and a 24/7 nurse line. For more information, visit www.healthdialog.com. Health Dialog is a wholly owned subsidiary of Rite Aid Corporation (NYSE:RAD).
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