title: Advances in gynecologic care: the effect on an HMO.
abstract: The introduction of four endoscopic surgical procedures into the gynecology department at Fallon Community Health Plan (FCHP) is discussed. The use of these endoscopic procedures reduced average length of stay (ALOS), hospital days/1OOO members, and rate of postoperative complications compared to the open (laparotomy) method. These minimally invasive procedures are popular with patients and physicians, and their use has the potential to decrease an HMO's overall operational costs.
authors.affiliation: Fallon Community Health Plan, Fallon Clinic, Worcester, MA, USA.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Hidlebaugh
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Huffman
mesh_terms: D017046:Cost Savings; D004724:Endoscopy / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D005831:Genital Diseases, Female / Q000601:surgery*; D006279:Health Maintenance Organizations / Q000592:standards* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D015907:Hysteroscopy / Q000191:economics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010535:Laparoscopy / Q000191:economics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D007902:Length of Stay; D008404:Massachusetts; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care