What is the primary goal of conducting a prospective utilization review?

The primary goal of conducting a prospective utilization review is to prevent future inappropriate admissions. This process involves assessing the necessity and appropriateness of proposed admissions before they occur. By evaluating the medical necessity of the planned admissions, healthcare facilities aim to ensure that patients are only admitted when truly needed and that appropriate care pathways are followed. This proactive approach helps to minimize unnecessary hospital stays, reduces healthcare costs, and improves patient outcomes by ensuring that resources are allocated efficiently and that patients receive the right level of care at the right time.

This focus on preventing inappropriate admissions also aligns with broader initiatives in healthcare aimed at enhancing patient safety and quality of care, reinforcing the importance of evaluating care decisions before they take place. In contrast, other options like evaluating past admissions or managing existing resources are more reactive and do not address the preventive aspect central to prospective reviews. Improving staff training, while important for overall quality of care, is not the primary goal of this specific process.