Factors in and methods for maintaining fiscal solvency in the health service of a small research university.

Abstract Maintaining fiscal solvency at the University of Rochester Health and Safety Division necessitates increased attention to income sources. Prepaid student fees and university funds are not increasing as rapidly as expenses. In order to maintain services, additional income must be sought from other areas such as expansion of the number of subscribers, increased fee-for-service patients, and increased third party collections. Continued review of expenses in terms of necessity, effectiveness, efficiency, and priority is required. Through the use of a computerized data information system, resource utilization can be explored and reviewed with timeliness and accuracy. Full utilization of the university's accounting capabilities helps to segregate expenses easily and reallocate them to cost centers for purposes of accountability and review. Systems analysis of patient and paper flow can eliminate unnecessary tasks and reduce time required for other functions. The role of the Student Advisory Committee i...