Does surgical subspecialization in pediatrics provide high-quality, cost-effective patient care?
OBJECTIVE
To determine if pediatric surgical subspecialization provides cost-effective, high-quality pediatric patient care.


METHODS
Ureteroneocystostomy inpatients over 4 years were studied. Hospital charges and complications were compared between general urologists and fellowship-trained pediatric urologists.


RESULTS
Hospital charges were significantly less ($1095) for patients under the care of a pediatric urologist. Complication rates were also lower.


CONCLUSIONS
Pediatric urology subspecialization offers high-quality, cost-effective pediatric patient care.
Snow
B W
BW
Primary Children's Medical Center, Salt Lake City, UT 84113, USA.
Catwright
P C
PC
Young
M D
MD
D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D003559:Cystostomy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000191:economics; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D017722:Hospital Charges; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D010372:Pediatrics / Q000191:economics / Q000592:standards; D011787:Quality of Health Care; D012092:Replantation / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000191:economics; D013038:Specialization; D014572:Urology / Q000191:economics / Q000592:standards; D014718:Vesico-Ureteral Reflux / Q000601:surgery