- Medical, Pharmaceutical, and Biotechnology (Best Prospect 2009: U.S. Commercial Service)
- Biotechnologies in France (Invest in France)
- Biotechnologies in Provence (Provence Promotion)
- Biotechnologies in Northern France (Invest in Northern France)
HOSPITAL MANAGEMENT AND RELATED SERVICES
FRANCE, WITH A POPULATION OF 60 MILLION, HAS 4,203 HOSPITALS, OF
WHICH 1,058 ARE PUBLIC (WITH 318,795 BEDS) AND 3,145 PRIVATE
(173,309 BEDS).
THE VERY NATURE OF THE FRENCH HEALTHCARE SYSTEM HAS A MAJOR
IMPACT ON MARKET DEMAND FOR MEDICAL, DENTAL AND HOSPITAL SERVICES
IN FRANCE. THESE INCLUDE: VIRTUAL FULL COVERAGE OF THE ENTIRE
POPULATION OF FRANCE BY THE SOCIAL SECURITY SYSTEM (NATIONAL
HEALTH PROGRAM); A GOVERNMENT-CREATED FRAMEWORK FOR HEALTHCARE IN
WHICH PUBLIC AND PRIVATE HOSPITALS COMPLEMENT EACH OTHER TO
PROVIDE THE POPULATION WITH EASY ACCESS TO MEDICAL CARE; A
REQUIREMMENT FOR GOVERNMENT APPROVAL OF THE LOCATION AND
ESTABLISHMENT OF BOTH PUBLIC AND PRIVATE HOSPITALS AS WELL AS FOR
PROCUREMENT OF THEIR MAJOR EQUIPMENT INVESTMENTS; BED/POPULATION
RATIOS WHICH AFFECT APPROVALS OF HOSPITAL LOCATION AND EQUIPMENT
PURCHASES;PATIENT FREEDOM TO CHOOSE TREATMENT IN EITHER A PUBLIC
OR PRIVATE HOSPITAL;
THE FRENCH GOVERNMENT HAS CONTROL OVER HEALTH EXPENDITURES.
FRANCE IS CURRENTLY REFORMING HOW ITS HEALTH CARE SYSTEM IS
MANAGED, HOW MEDICAL EXPENDITURES ARE MADE, AND HOW HOSPITAL AND
CLINIC INFRASTRUCTURE IS HANDLED. THE PARLIAMENT SETS ANNUAL
SPENDING TARGETS THAT MUST NOT BE EXCEEDED. THE NEW HEALTHCARE
MANAGEMENT STRUCTURE HAS ESTABLISHED 24 REGIONAL HOSPITAL
AUTHORITIES FOR PLANNING HEALTHCARE NEEDS AND SETTING ANNUAL
HOSPITAL BUDGETS. THESE AUTHORITIES ARE CONTRACTING WITH
INDIVIDUAL HOSPITALS TO DEFINE OBJECTIVES AND REQUIREMENTS WITH
THE AIM OF CREATING CENTERS OF EXCELLENCE BY MERGING
HOSPITALS,PUBLIC AND PRIVATE ALIKE. THIS WOULD ALSO ENTAIL, IF
NECESSARY, CLOSING THOSE FACILITIES WHOSE OCCUPANCY RATE IS LOWER
THAN 60 PERCENT.
TO TRACK HEALTHCARE SPENDING MORE EFFECTIVELY AND TO CONTROL THE
EXPENDITURE ON HOSPITALS AND DOCTORS, ALL PARTICIPANTS IN THE
FRENCH NATIONAL HEALTH CARE SYSTEM (98 PERCENT OF THE POPULATION)
HAVE RECEIVED A SMART CARD. THIS CARD, CALLED "CARTE-VITALE,"
ENABLES THE ELECTRONIC TRANSFER OF MEDICAL RECORDS AND
PRESCRIPTIONS TO THE PROPER ORGANIZATIONS FOR REIMBURSEMENT. THE
CARTE-VITALE IS THE CORE OF THE HEALTH MANAGEMENT NETWORK (RÉSEAU
SANTE-SOCIAL/RSS). IT LINKS, THROUGH A SECURE COMPUTER NETWORK
EACH PATIENT WITH ALL TYPES OF HEALTHCARE PROVIDERS (E.G., PUBLIC
HOSPITALS, PRIVATE CLINICS, GENERAL PRACTITIONERS, SPECIALIZED
DOCTORS, NURSES)
IN FRANCE, GIVEN THE NEED TO CUT OPERATING COSTS, SIGNIFICANT
MARKET OPPORTUNITIES EXIST FOR AMERICAN SUPPLIERS OF HOSPITAL
MANAGEMENT AND RELATED SERVICES DESIGNED TO STREAMLINE THE
PROVISION OF MEDICAL SERVICES.
AUTHOR: ALAIN LEVY
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