title: Do your staff know the cost of pharmaceuticals and lab tests?
abstract: ED physicians often are misinformed about the cost of diagnostic tests and drugs. Physicians tend to overuse tests and treatments that do not improve patient care, according to ED experts. Comparing test utilization with peers is a strong motivator for physicians. Listing costs of antibiotics on protocols can cut costs and improve consistency of care. Commonly overutilized lab tests in the ED are blood alcohols, urine cultures, electrolytes, and blood gases. Commonly overused X-rays are abdominal series, CT of the head, and lumbar spine series.
mesh_terms: D001364:Awareness; D019411:Clinical Laboratory Techniques / Q000191:economics; D003363:Cost Control / Q000379:methods; D016527:Drug Costs; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital / Q000191:economics*; D017721:Hospital Costs; D008505:Medical Staff, Hospital / Q000193:education*; D014481:United States; D019564:Unnecessary Procedures / Q000191:economics