Regionalization and mortality in neonatal intensive care.
This article examines the outcome data for very low birth weight infants in low-volume, mid-volume, and high-volume neonatal ICUs (NICUs) and argues for regionalization of NICU services on the basis of both medical outcomes and economic rationality. It recognizes some of the obstacles to regionalization of these services and presents ways to surmount them.
Holmstrom
Scott T
ST
Health Economics Resource Center, VA Palo Alto Health Care System, CA 94025, USA.
Phibbs
Ciaran S
CS
D005260:Female; D049673:History, 20th Century; D049674:History, 21st Century; D006801:Humans; D007226:Infant Mortality / Q000266:history / Q000639:trends; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature; D019102:Infant, Very Low Birth Weight; D007363:Intensive Care Units, Neonatal / Q000458:organization & administration*; D007752:Obstetric Labor, Premature / Q000517:prevention & control; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D010816:Physician Incentive Plans; D011247:Pregnancy; D012041:Regional Medical Programs; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology