Impact of physician awareness on hospital charges for radical retropubic prostatectomy.
OBJECTIVE
We determine if physician awareness of hospital costs for radical retropubic prostatectomy affects physician practice patterns.


METHODS
We reviewed 256 consecutive radical retropubic prostatectomies performed by 14 urologists during 4 years at a community hospital. After 2 years the physicians were provided information on factors that may decrease charges.


RESULTS
Charges decreased significantly following intervention, from +f417,134 within the initial 2 years to +f413,826 within the last 2 years (p < 0.005). Significant decreases were noted for length of stay, need for intensive care, operating time and blood loss.


CONCLUSIONS
Traditional methods of physician education can impact practice patterns to decrease hospital charges for radical retropubic prostatectomy.
Kramolowsky
E V
EV
Urology Center, Trigon Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Virginia, Richmond, USA.
Wood
N L
NL
Rollins
K L
KL
Glasheen
W P
WP
Nelson
C M
CM
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D016063:Blood Loss, Surgical / Q000517:prevention & control; D001803:Blood Transfusion / Q000191:economics; D003363:Cost Control; D003422:Critical Care / Q000191:economics; D017722:Hospital Charges; D006764:Hospitals, Community / Q000191:economics; D006788:Hospitals, Voluntary / Q000191:economics; D006801:Humans; D007902:Length of Stay / Q000191:economics; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians'; D011468:Prostatectomy / Q000191:economics*; D013997:Time Factors; D014572:Urology