title: A new methodology for ancillary services review.
abstract: This study used life table analysis techniques to evaluate the daily charges generated for diagnostic tests, procedures, and therapies for a sample of patients without regard to diagnosis and for patients with a primary diagnosis of congestive heart failure. The study indicated that about 50% of all ancillary services ordered are accumulated by the 5th day of stay and 75% by the 9th day. Length-of-stay review (LOS) undertaken after the 9th day, therefore, affects only 25% of tests and treatments. A method is proposed to generate data useful for reviewing the diagnostic tests, procedures, and therapies ordered during the early days of a patient's hospital stay. This approach has relevance for cost control under the new diagnosis-related groups reimbursement plan.
mesh_terms: D000206:Actuarial Analysis; D000720:Ancillary Services, Hospital / Q000191:economics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D003953:Diagnosis-Related Groups; D005249:Fees and Charges; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000191:economics; D006739:Hospital Administration / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006764:Hospitals, Community / Q000191:economics; D006801:Humans; D007902:Length of Stay / Q000191:economics; D014481:United States; D014600:Utilization Review / Q000379:methods*