Cost-effectiveness and cost-efficiency in vascular surgery.
Medical costs have been an increasing focus of attention in medicine in general, particularly in the United States health care environment. Because vascular disease is most prevalent in the elderly, the forecasted growth of this population over the next several decades will put increasing strains on health care financing. Costs will undoubtedly be a major component of any system of outcomes measurement, and it is important for vascular surgeons and others who specialize in vascular disease to be familiar with the definitions and methodology and cost-effectiveness analysis. Similarly, improving cost efficiency within the practice of vascular surgery will be mandated. The purpose of this article is to review systems of cost-effectiveness analysis as they pertain to vascular surgery, as well as to define critical pathway models that have been used to improve cost-efficiency in vascular surgery.
Section of Vascular Surgery, Pennsylvania Hospital, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
M J
MJ
Dougherty
K D
KD
Calligaro
D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D019091:Critical Pathways; D016894:Endarterectomy, Carotid / Q000191:economics; D006801:Humans; D007902:Length of Stay; D010414:Pennsylvania; D014656:Vascular Surgical Procedures / Q000191:economics*