Cost containment: the Americas. Canada.
Resources allocated for health care in Canada are about to be decreased. In recent years, the Canadian healthcare system has been consuming a progressively greater share of the country's gross domestic product. Due to recession, less revenue is available for health care. The need to contain and limit national healthcare spending has begun to affect resource allocation in Canadian ICUs. Increasing efficiency and reducing inappropriate use may not be enough to contain costs. More difficult decisions need to be made.
Barnett
R
R
Division of Critical Care, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada.
Shustack
A
A
D002170:Canada; D003363:Cost Control / Q000379:methods*; D003422:Critical Care / Q000191:economics* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005544:Forecasting; D015276:Health Care Rationing / Q000191:economics*; D005102:Health Expenditures; D017721:Hospital Costs; D006801:Humans; D007362:Intensive Care Units / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D007902:Length of Stay / Q000191:economics; D010343:Patient Admission / Q000191:economics