The report also discussed data from the United States' Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) showing that between 2010 and 2014, there was a seventeen percent decline in hospital-acquired conditions (HACs) as a result of efforts to improve quality of care and reduce adverse events. This emphasis on quality is estimated to have saved $19.8 billion in health care costs over a four-year period—underlining why employers and health insurance purchasers have such a stake in evidence-based medicine

However, the researchers said, much more can be done. "While lives have been saved and costs dramatically lowered through the adherence to CPGs, the United states is not currently achieving anything close to our maximum potential," the Connections report said.

What is blocking adherence to evidence-based medicine?

The Connections report points to two areas that holding up better compliance with CPGs. One is simple human nature: physicians and other providers are often more likely to trust their training and experience than new guidelines, even if the evidence supports those guidelines.

"Many physicians consider CPGs as inhibiting their professional autonomy and flexibility, as well as depersonalizing the physician-patient relationship," the report said. "They may not trust their ability to implement and stay up to date due to time and limited resources."

The report said payers have the ability to push for better adherence to CPGs and outlined several strategies that employers can used to improve quality and reduce costs. These strategies include:

• Adjusting health plan language: Language in health plan contracts that links "medical necessity" or "usual or customary care" gives providers broad latitude for making medical decisions. "Employers should consider stronger health plan language such as, "payment will be considered for services that are based on Evidence-Based Medicine Guidelines," the report said.
• Empowering and educating health plan members: The report calls for empowering patients as partners in health care quality efforts. "Educate health plan members to evidenced-based medicine and its importance in making sound health care-related decisions," the report said. It suggested educational efforts such as a "Get with the Guidelines" campaign.
• Next-generation medical management: The report also promoted what it called Next Generation Medical Management, which it said would ensure that the right patients gets the right care at the right time, for the right price.

Read more: 

• Health care spending continues to rise, despite cost-saving strategies
• Health care data analytics: true meaning, actionability and value
• Collaborative program to link health care providers financially to patient outcomes