Study foresees 17 trends altering health care; HIT interprets effect on vendors. (Health Industry Today) (Vendors and Reform)

Vendors can position themselves now to take advantage of future changes in health care. The Hospital Council of Southern California/Center for Health Resources (HCSC), Los Angeles, foresees 17 trends that will radically alter the nation's health care system as they come about in the next five years.

The report, "View of the Future 1994-1999," is the result of collective opinions from health care experts, hospital administrators, pollsters and futurists. It is the sixth annual report produced for HCSC.

Health Industry Today, after consulting with those in the medical supply and equipment industry, has interpreted how these predictions may affect vendors' marketing strategies.

"Capitation, outcomes measurements and large integrated health provider networks will usher in a new era of health care. ... Fee-for-service, self-referral and many stand-alone hospitals may soon be extinct," the HCSC report stated, alerting vendors that the decision makers targeted by supply and equipment manufacturers will drastically change in the coming years.

HCSC's report predicts that:

1. FEW ORGANIZATIONS …