AIAG Conference Explores Applying Automotive Quality Methodologies to Reduce Medical Errors, Improve Health Care Delivery and Reduce Costs

DETROIT, Nov. 14, 2006 -- The Automotive Industry Action Group (AIAG) will investigate how to make health care more affordable for automotive manufacturers, suppliers and consumers by focusing on quality and value in the health care system -- including a new approach of applying proven automotive quality methodologies to health care processes -- at the AIAG AutoMed conference on Dec. 1, 2006, at the Rock Financial Showplace in Novi, Mich. Keynote speaker Dr. Ronald M. Davis, president-elect, American Medical Association, will discuss how physicians and employers can partner for success.

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20040719/DEM007LOGO )

A report by the Michigan State Medical Society (MSMS) -- The Future of Medicine: Leading the Way to a Better Health Care System -- calls for unprecedented collaboration among various stakeholders to address the underlying problems that currently plague medicine and health care in Michigan. With DaimlerChrysler Corp., Ford Motor Co. and General Motors Corp. spending at least $1,300 per vehicle on health care, key players in the health care community are working together via AIAG's Health Focus Group to attack the root causes that drive costs up.

The Health Focus Group has identified the following factors as contributors to increased health care costs: medical errors, redundancies and waste in processes, and a lack of common business practices. To bridge these gaps in the health care system, AIAG is promoting the application of automotive quality management systems and tools to fulfill President George W. Bush's Aug. 22 executive order on the transparency of quality in health care. The auto industry has successfully deployed quality management systems and tools reducing thousands of errors per million to less than 100. AIAG estimates that the health care industry, currently experiencing an estimated 20,000 preventable errors per million, can achieve comparable results by applying the same quality management systems and tools. Fewer errors translate to millions of dollars in cost savings, while an increased focus on healthy lifestyle choices and prevention will yield cost avoidance in the long-term.

With the theme of "Bringing Quality and Value to Health," AIAG AutoMed assembles hospitals, health care organizations and medical and other health care professionals. This one-day event will present several companies' successfully implemented health and wellness programs, as well as quality initiatives that have been successfully deployed at health care organizations, including the updated IWA-1: Quality Management Systems - Guidelines for Process Improvements in Health Service Organizations and its success at the Detroit Medical Center.

In addition to Dr. Davis, other AIAG AutoMed speakers are physicians and health professionals from:

  *  DaimlerChrysler AG
  *  Toyota Motor Manufacturing N.A., Inc.
  *  ArvinMeritor, Inc.
  *  Delphi Corp.
  *  Detroit Medical Center
  *  MSMS
  *  Pitney Bowes
  *  PNC Bank
  *  PPG Industries
  *  TQM Systems
  *  United Physicians

Those responsible for health wellness within the automotive supply chain, doctors, nurses, occupational medicine providers and representatives in human resources and health benefits are encouraged to attend the conference. MSMS and the American Association of Occupational Health Nurses (AAOHN) are providing continuing education credits for physicians and nurses who attend. A total of 8 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)(TM) for physicians and 7.7 Nursing CNE credits for nurses will be awarded.

Individuals may register for AIAG AutoMed by visiting http://www.aiag.org/ or calling AIAG customer service at (248) 358-3003. Until Nov. 17, cost for registration for AIAG members is $95 and $145 for non-members. Starting Nov. 19, registration cost for AIAG members is $115 and $165 for non-members. Details on the agenda and speakers are available at http://mows.aiag.org/staticcontent/AutoMed2006.pdf.

About AIAG

Founded in 1982, AIAG is a globally recognized organization where OEMs and suppliers unite to address and resolve issues affecting the worldwide automotive supply chain. AIAG's goals are to reduce cost and complexity through collaboration; improve product quality, health, safety and the environment; and optimize speed to market throughout the supply chain. Headquartered in the metro Detroit area, its more than 1,500 member companies include North American, European and Asia-Pacific OEMs and suppliers to the automotive industry. Additional information is available on the Internet at http://www.aiag.org/.

Photo: NewsCom: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20040719/DEM007LOGO
PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com