Using cost accounting data to improve clinical value.

Value in health care can be defined as the provision of appropriate care at appropriate cost. While appropriate care is the province of clinical providers, cost data usually is maintained by financial managers. Collaboration between clinical providers and financial managers therefore is essential if optimum value is to be created. To this end, cost data are frequently given to providers for use in clinical care improvement projects. One such project has been implemented successfully at Virginia Mason Medical Center, Seattle, Washington.