Outcomes of hospital restructuring and reengineering. How is success or failure being measured?

Healthcare has undergone tremendous changes during the last decade. In response to external forces, institutions and systems have sought to increase efficiency, decrease waste and duplication, and reshape the way that care is delivered. The authors describe the outcomes of restructuring and reengineering efforts in United States hospitals during the years 1997-1999. Internal hospital-restructuring strategies, methods for evaluation, and unexpected outcomes are discussed as well as recommendations for future outcome evaluation.