Studies examine surgery survival odds, hospital readmission risks

News outlets report on a pair of studies related to Medicare populations. The first concludes that the odds for a Medicare patient surviving a complex surgery are improving. Meanwhile, a second study found that better informed patients have lower costs, do better managing their medications and can slow the rate of readmissions.

The New York Times: Risks: Better Odds For Surviving Complex Surgery
The odds that a Medicare patient will die after undergoing one of eight high-risk operations have fallen sharply, an analysis of medical records has found (Rabin, 6/13).

USA Today: Better-Informed Patients Can Help Cut Costs, Study Shows
A combination of giving patients more information about their conditions and better managing their medications can slow the revolving door of Medicare patients in and out of hospitals by about 20%, a study released Monday by Harvard University shows (Kennedy, 6/14).