Texas hospitals and hospital systems are major employers, creating more than 240,000 jobs and injecting billions of dollars into the economy through employees. This analysis aims to provide a concrete measure of the distance between Americans and the nearest hospital in different types of communities in the United States. Without a measure of the quality and variety of care provided at each hospital, it is difficult to assess how access to hospitals translates into well-being. To gain insight into the relative health of the Central Texas economy, we can look at its sales tax revenues and compare it to that of other states in terms of education, population, per capita income, and unemployment rate. These findings come amid a wave of rural hospital closures in recent years, raising concerns about access to healthcare.
Overall, Texas ranked 45th out of 52 states (including Puerto Rico) in performance measures based on clinical indicators; data on individual measures are provided in the table. Central Texas is a microcosm of the state, both urban and rural, with a dynamic and diverse economy. Doctors may wonder how these statistics came to be and how Baylor Health Care System (BHCS) is trying to improve the quality of health care.The percentage of Medicare patients in Texas receiving adequate care is based on the sixth area of work compared to the national median*. This report examines regional economic trends, including population, family income, jobs and salaries, and education, as well as the unique economic conditions and characteristics of Central Texas.
The Texas Medical Foundation, Texas' peer review organization, is working with hospital systems, administrators and professionals to improve the quality of care. It requires the support of everyone involved in healthcare - from health professionals (doctors, nurses, care coordinators, technicians, pharmacists, dietitians, and respiratory therapists) to administrators and unit administrative assistants, medical records staff, and the engineering department. An RHRPRC research product, Exploring Rural and Urban Mortality Differences in the Appalachian Region, reports that mortality rates from cancer, heart disease, diabetes, lower respiratory diseases, unintentional injuries, and strokes are higher in Appalachian Mountains compared to the United States. Rural minority communities face myriad problems that can affect the health and well-being of the population - from chronic poverty to lack of stable medical care for migrant workers - as well as language barriers or educational attainment that affect health care decision-making and communication. Other studies on the horizon include a system-wide evaluation of anticoagulant use in patients with atrial fibrillation and an evaluation of the provision of medical care to diabetic patients.
Sales receipts subject to state sales tax directly attributable to Central Texas have been trending upward over the past decade. It is important to compare the quality of medical care available in North Central Texas with other regions across the United States. To do this effectively requires an understanding of both regional economic trends as well as unique characteristics that may affect healthcare access or quality. The data shows that while Texas ranks 45th out of 52 states for performance measures based on clinical indicators, there are still opportunities for improvement. The Texas Medical Foundation is working with hospital systems and healthcare professionals to improve quality through peer review organizations.
Additionally, research products such as Exploring Rural and Urban Mortality Differences in the Appalachian Region provide insight into mortality rates across different regions. Ultimately, it is clear that North Central Texas has room for improvement when it comes to providing quality medical care. With continued efforts from healthcare professionals as well as support from administrators and other staff members involved in healthcare delivery systems, it is possible for North Central Texas to reach higher standards when it comes to providing quality medical care.
