Professional resource cost of body CT examinations: analysis of interpretation costs in different patient populations.
OBJECTIVE
To study professional cost and cost drivers in body computed tomography (CT), and to compare the professional cost associated with similar CT studies performed on patients with dissimilar diseases.


METHODS
A time and motion study was undertaken to measure the allocation of physician time in body CT. The hourly cost of radiologists' clinical practice was calculated. The physician cost associated with individual CT patients was then calculated according to the amount of time radiologists devoted to each patient. Technical costs and hospital overhead were not included.


RESULTS
The hourly cost of the clinical practice of attending radiologists, cross-sectional imaging fellows, and senior radiology residents was $293, $35, and $35 respectively. The average professional cost for CT examination of an abdominal pain patient with abdominal and pelvic imaging was $63. The average professional cost for CT examination of an oncology patient with abdominal and pelvic imaging was $90. The cost per relative value unit (RVU) was $25 for abdominal pain patients and $35 for oncology patients.


CONCLUSIONS
Similar CT studies performed on patients with dissimilar diseases result in differing professional costs.
Muchantef
Karl
K
Queen's University School of Medicine, Kingston, Ontario, Canada. 2km18@qlink.queensu.ca
Forman
Howard P
HP
D003237:Connecticut; D017048:Health Care Costs / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D010361:Patients / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D010820:Physicians / Q000191:economics* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D013996:Time and Motion Studies; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000191:economics* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D051598:Whole Body Imaging / Q000191:economics* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*