title: Costs of gastrointestinal examinations: a comparative study.
abstract: The costs of performing four major gastrointestinal examinations were studied and compared: single-contrast and double-contrast upper gastrointestinal series, and single-contrast and double contrast barium enema. A  total of 1,725 examination records were reviewed for the number of films expended, room occupancy time, and physician involvement time, and the costs of the studies determined. The data indicated a large and significantly increased time and expense required for the double-contrast barium enema over the single-contrast barium enema. A relatively small increment was found in the cost performing the double-contrast upper gastrointestinal series over the single-contrast study.
mesh_terms: D001466:Barium Sulfate; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D004064:Digestive System / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D004733:Enema / Q000191:economics* / Q000379:methods; D005767:Gastrointestinal Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000191:economics*; D006801:Humans; D011859:Radiography
chemical_list: D001466:Barium Sulfate