title: A cost-savings analysis of the use of a predictive instrument for coronary-care-unit admission decisions.
abstract: The predictive instrument for acute ischemic heart disease is one of several clinical decision aids developed to reduce unnecessary coronary-care-unit (CCU) admissions. Previous cost analyses of such decision aids have been based on hospital charges; however, estimates based on hospital charges significantly overstate true cost savings to hospitals. The actual savings for a hospital that wants to implement the predictive instrument depend on the hospital's cost structure, the competitiveness of its medical care, and its payor mix.
authors.affiliation: National Fund for Scientific Research, Belgium.
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Holthof
authors.forename: H P
authors.initials: HP
authors.lastname: Selker
mesh_terms: D001900:Boston / Q000453:epidemiology; D003325:Coronary Care Units / Q000191:economics / Q000592:standards / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D003327:Coronary Disease / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000191:economics* / Q000453:epidemiology; D017046:Cost Savings / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D003661:Decision Support Techniques; D004180:Direct Service Costs / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005249:Fees and Charges / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006300:Health Services Misuse / Q000191:economics*; D006745:Hospital Bed Capacity, 300 to 499; D006784:Hospitals, Teaching / Q000191:economics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D007902:Length of Stay / Q000191:economics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010343:Patient Admission / Q000191:economics*; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011445:Prospective Payment System; D011787:Quality of Health Care