Top health systems boast shorter ER wait times, lower costs

By Paige Minemyer

Top health systems in the country earned high marks in emergency room wait times, cost effectiveness and patient rating, according to Truven Health Analytics' list of top 15 health systems for 2016. The consulting firm surveyed 338 systems and 2,912 hospitals that are members of systems to compile the list. The winners stood out because they had more than 12 percent shorter wait times in their emergency departments than their peers, as well as nearly 5 percent lower Medicare beneficiary costs.The study also showed the awarded systems released patients from the hospital a half-day sooner than peer systems. Study (.pdf)