Joint data collection system saves hospital system $3.6 million.

Knee and hip joint replacement costs at HealthEast in St. Paul, MN, were 33% too high, according to national benchmark data. However, before managers could lower costs, they had to gather their data. After a drawn-out manual compilation, healthEast piloted an automated system for tracking joint replacement data. That software is now available nationwide. By collecting the data, measuring cost and utilization, HealthEast has lowered its total knee and hip replacement costs by $3.6 million.