Comparative costs of a cooperative care program versus hospital inpatient care for gynecology patients.
The cost of gynecologic care delivered in a cooperative care (co-op) unit was compared with the cost for similar patients treated in a traditional hospital inpatient unit. No significant differences were found. This finding was in direct contrast to our earlier study of obstetric patients where overall savings were achieved. The authors did, however, find cost savings (approximately $450) for those co-op patients cared for by physicians who were frequent users of the unit. Most of the savings for this group was achieved through a reduction in the cost of routine services, which includes nursing care. If the current nursing shortage leads to an increase in co-op units, nursing administrators need to be aware that potential cost savings may depend on physician familiarity with the co-op concept. A major role of nursing therefore, is to provide information on the benefits of cooperative care both to physicians and to potential patients.
Saywell
R M
RM
Graduate Program in Health Administration, School of Public and Environmental Affairs, Indiana University, Indianapolis.
Woods
J R
JR
Benson
J T
JT
Pike
M M
MM
D000328:Adult; D003365:Costs and Cost Analysis; D003695:Delivery of Health Care / Q000191:economics* / Q000458:organization & administration; D004471:Economics, Nursing; D005260:Female; D005831:Genital Diseases, Female / Q000191:economics*; D006748:Hospital Departments / Q000191:economics*; D006801:Humans; D009775:Obstetrics and Gynecology Department, Hospital / Q000191:economics*