Biomedical subjects

S B Ransom

Publications and source records attributed to S B Ransom.

15 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2000

Fiscal impact of a potential legislative ban on second trimester elective terminations for prenatally diagnosed abnormalities.

This study was designed to determine the fiscal impact of a theoretical legislative ban on elective terminations for prenatally diagnosed abnormalities at Hutzel Hospital/Wayne State University. A fiscal comparison was completed for patients who had second trimester elective terminations for prenatally diagnosed abnormalities versus not allowing the procedure. An eight-year database of genetics cases and hospital and physician cost estimates for performing elective terminations for prenatally diagnosed abnormalities, and published reports of the average lifetime costs per selected birth defects, were used to calculate the net cost. The estimated lifetime cost for an average cohort year of a legislative ban on elective terminations for prenatally diagnosed abnormalities was found to be at least $8.5 million for patients treated at Hutzel Hospital. Extrapolated, a similar ban on second trimester elective terminations would have a net cost of $74 million in Michigan and $2 billion annually in the United States.

Abortion, Induced↗

PubMed2000

Multifetal pregnancy reduction: perinatal and fiscal outcomes.

OBJECTIVE: This study was undertaken to compare the birth outcomes of a multifetal pregnancy reduction population with those of other patients delivered at Hutzel Hospital, Detroit, and to determine the fiscal impact of the multifetal pregnancy reduction program. STUDY DESIGN: In a retrospective review patients who were delivered after multifetal pregnancy reduction were compared with a general obstetric population who were delivered at Hutzel Hospital from January 1, 1986, through June 30, 1998. Outcome data were determined through a comprehensive perinatal database. The chi(2) analysis was used to examine the relationship between gestational age and delivery group. Financial data were estimated from published reports of neonatal intensive care unit admissions, cost estimates for neonatal intensive care unit care, and charges for multifetal pregnancy reduction. RESULTS: Pregnancies reduced to triplets, twins, and singletons had outcomes at least comparable to unreduced pregnancies starting at these numbers and substantially better than unreduced pregnancies with the same starting number. Financial estimates of hospitalization costs averted in the multifetal pregnancy reduction population exceeded $28 million. CONCLUSION: Use of multifetal pregnancy reduction improved obstetric outcomes for pregnancies with multiple gestations and also was associated with significant fiscal savings.

Cost Control↗

PubMed1999

Oral metronidazole vs. Metrogel Vaginal for treating bacterial vaginosis. Cost-effectiveness evaluation.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the cost-effectiveness of metronidazole versus Metrogel Vaginal in the treatment of bacterial vaginosis. STUDY DESIGN: Sixty consecutive patients with a clinical diagnosis of bacterial vaginosis were randomly assigned prospectively into either the metronidazole, 500 mg (twice daily for seven days by mouth) or Metrogel Vaginal (one applicator twice daily for five days) treatment group. The study patients were aged 18-30 years, without other medical problems. The patients proceeded with outpatient therapy and returned 7-10 days after the completion of treatment for reevaluation. During the study, patients refrained from sexual relations, avoided alcohol and drugs, and avoided all medication. The physician evaluated the patients for bacterial vaginosis through standard wet preparation, whiff test and pH testing prior to and after treatment. The patients were randomized by a nurse and were blinded for study purposes to the evaluating physician. RESULTS: Successful treatment outcomes for bacterial vaginosis occurred in 27 and 28 patients for Metrogel Vaginal and metronidazole, respectively, out of the original 30 patients in each study group. All patients introduced into the study completed the study without difficulty. No significant complications were found in either treatment group. Three patients treated with metronidazole experienced nausea during the treatment interval. The entire cost of treatment was $19.71 and $1.51 for Metrogel Vaginal and metronidazole, respectively. CONCLUSION: The most cost-effective treatment for bacterial vaginosis was generic metronidazole. While the use of the more expensive Metrogel Vaginal may be reasonable for patients experiencing side effects of oral metronidazole, most patients should be treated with the less expensive generic metronidazole.

Administration, Intravaginal↗

PubMed1999

Cost-effectiveness of routine blood type and screen testing for cesarean section.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the usefulness and cost-effectiveness of admission blood type and screen testing for cesarean section. STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective review was conducted on patients transfused with blood during an admission that required a cesarean section over a three-year period at a tertiary care hospital. RESULTS: Of 3,962 patients who underwent cesarean section, 132 (3.3%) required a blood transfusion during their hospital stay. Medical records of 125 of the 132 patients were evaluated as to urgency and risk factors. (Seven charts could not be located.) Most of the blood transfusions were related to previously identified risk factors, including previous cesarean section, chorioamnionitis, placenta previa, abnormal presentation (breech or transverse lie), multiple pregnancies, abruptio placentae and admission anemia. Three patients received an urgent blood transfusion without a previously identifiable risk factor. Thus, we found an overall urgent blood transfusion rate without admission risk factors to be 0.8 per 1,000 cesarean sections. CONCLUSION: In the absence of significant risk factors, routine admission blood type and screen testing for cesarean section does not enhance patient care and should be eliminated. In the rare event that a patient without a previously identified risk factor requires an urgent blood transfusion, O negative blood could be given in the interim pending formal determination of type and cross-match.

Blood Grouping and Crossmatching↗

PubMed1998

Synthetic graft placement in the treatment of fascial dehiscence with necrosis and infection.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to describe the use of synthetic grafts in repairing fascial dehiscence complicated by fascial necrosis and infection after obstetric and gynecologic operations. STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective review of the operating room records at Hutzel Hospital (Detroit, Mich) was performed to find all cases of fascial dehiscence repaired during a 6-year period between January 1, 1991, and December 31, 1996. Patients with partial or complete disruption of the fascia with evidence of fascial necrosis and infection were included in this study. Demographic information; the initial surgical procedure, including type of incision; suture material; use of synthetic graft and closure technique for repair of dehiscence; postoperative complications, microbiologic results; antibiotic therapy; subsequent operations; length of hospital stay; and late complications were recorded. RESULTS: During the study period 52 patients underwent repair of fascial dehiscence; 36 of these had concurrent fascial necrosis and infection, including 4 women with necrotizing fasciitis. Eighteen patients were from the obstetric service and 18 were from the benign or cancer gynecology service. Ninety-one bacterial isolates were recovered from the infected wounds. Extensive fascial resection precluded closure without tension in 18 cases and necessitated synthetic graft placement to prevent evisceration. Graft materials included polypropylene (11 cases) and polyglactin (7 cases). Late complications of graft placement included extrusion of the graft in 3 patients and incisional hernia in 1. CONCLUSIONS: Extensive fascial débridement with resection prevents primary closure of wound dehiscence. Synthetic grafts permit primary closure of large fascial defects and can be used with extensive débridement in the presence of infection.

Abdominal Muscles↗

PubMed1998

Medically sound, cost-effective treatment for pelvic inflammatory disease and tuboovarian abscess.

OBJECTIVE: Our purpose was to determine the clinical effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of three antibiotic regimens for the treatment of pelvic inflammatory disease and tuboovarian abscess. STUDY DESIGN: A review of all patients' hospitalized at Hutzel Hospital, Detroit, Michigan, for treatment of pelvic inflammatory disease and tuboovarian abscess between Jan. 1, 1993, and April 30, 1997, was performed. Demographic data, antibiotic choices, changes in therapy, operative interventions, and cost of therapy were assessed. RESULTS: Two hundred three patients were admitted for treatment of pelvic inflammatory disease during the study period. We were able to evaluate the clinical efficacy of antibiotic treatment in 179 patients, including 105 patients with pelvic inflammatory disease alone (uncomplicated pelvic inflammatory disease) and 74 women whose infection was complicated by tuboovarian abscess. The three antibiotic regimens evaluated were cefotetan plus doxycycline, clindamycin plus gentamicin, and ampicillin plus clindamycin plus gentamicin. All regimens demonstrated comparable efficacy in treating uncomplicated genital tract infections. Ampicillin plus clindamycin plus gentamicin was significantly better than clindamycin plus gentamicin and cefotetan plus doxycycline in treatment of tuboovarian abscess (p = 0.001). Fifteen women with tuboovarian abscess responded to a change to ampicillin plus gentamicin plus clindamycin antibiotic therapy alone. The hospital stay was prolonged by approximately 3 days in women failing to respond to initial antibiotic therapy, and operative interventions were common in this group of patients. CONCLUSIONS: Cefotetan plus oral doxycycline is the most cost-effective regimen for treating uncomplicated pelvic inflammatory disease, whereas triple-antibiotic therapy is the treatment of choice in women with tuboovarian abscess.

Abscess↗

PubMed1998

The cost-effectiveness of routine type and screen admission testing for expected vaginal delivery.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the cost effectiveness of routine admission type and screen testing for expected vaginal delivery. METHODS: A retrospective review was conducted in patients transfused with blood during an admission that anticipated a vaginal delivery over a 3-year period, at Hutzel Hospital, in Detroit, Michigan. RESULTS: Of 16,291 patients admitted for an expectant vaginal delivery, 76 (.47%) (95% confidence interval [CI] .37%, .58%) required blood transfusion during the time of their admission. Medical records of these 76 patients were evaluated as to urgency and risk factors. Most of the blood transfusions were related to previously identified risk factors, including previous postpartum hemorrhage, multiple pregnancies, previous cesarean delivery, abruptio placentae, and admission anemia. Four patients received an urgent blood transfusion without a previously identifiable risk factor. We found an overall urgent blood transfusion rate without admission risk factors to be 2.5 per 10,000 vaginal deliveries (95% CI .9 per 10,000, 6.3 per 10,000) CONCLUSION: Routine admission type and screen testing for an expected normal vaginal delivery does not seem to enhance patient care and should be eliminated for patients without substantial risk factors. In the rare event that a patient without a previously identified risk factor required an urgent blood transfusion, O negative blood could be given in the interim pending formal type and cross match.

Blood Transfusion↗

PubMed1998

The development and implementation of normal vaginal delivery clinical pathways in a large multihospital health system.

The entire country has become more concerned with healthcare costs due to managed care, capitation risk-based contracts, and the near elimination of the cost-plus reimbursement system. Clinical pathways have become one way to reduce unnecessary resource consumption by reducing provider variance, improving clinical outcomes, and reducing cost. We present here our rationale and process for developing a common clinical pathway for normal vaginal delivery in a large and varied multihospital system. We also discuss how this new pathway is expected to improve quality of care and reduce costs.

Critical Pathways↗

PubMed1996

The effect of capitated and fee-for-service remuneration on physician decision making in gynecology.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the variations in physician behavior leading to performance of gynecologic surgical procedures related to fee-for-service and capitation reimbursement systems. METHODS: This study compared the physician practice utilization of surgical services for fee-for-service and capitated contract reimbursement systems within a gynecology clinic. Attending gynecologists were reimbursed on a fee-for-service basis for all surgical services performed during a 6-month interval; subsequently, the same physicians were reimbursed on a capitated basis for 6 months and received a fixed payment for the clinical and surgical services provided. RESULTS: Three thousand seven hundred eighty consecutive outpatient gynecology visits were evaluated at the university gynecology clinic during 1994. We found a 15% overall decrease in the number of surgical procedures that were performed during the capitated reimbursement period compared with the fee-for-service time interval. The procedure most responsible for the reduction of surgical services was elective sterilization by laparoscopy, which underwent a statistically significant decrease (P < .01). CONCLUSION: The remuneration system in our review seemed to affect physician decision making for only the most elective procedures, whereas physicians maintained similar practice patterns for more severe conditions. Fee-for-service seems to encourage, whereas capitation seems to discourage, gynecologist from performing elective procedures.

Adult↗

PubMed1996

A cost-effectiveness evaluation of preoperative type-and-screen testing for vaginal hysterectomy.

OBJECTIVE: Our purpose was to evaluate the usefulness and cost-effectiveness of routine preoperative type-and-screen testing before vaginal hysterectomy. STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective review of all vaginal hysterectomies performed at Hutzel Hospital between 1988 and 1994 with an emphasis on those that required blood transfusion was done. All vaginal hysterectomies completed at Hutzel Hospital were included in this 6-year time period for all noncancerous indications, including fibroid uterus, endometriosis, menorrhagia, uterine prolapse, pelvic pain, cervical dysplasia, and adenomyosis. RESULTS: Among 1063 patients who underwent vaginal hysterectomy, 26 needed a blood transfusion at the time of hospitalization. Medical records of the patients who needed blood transfusions were reviewed to determine the urgency and indication. Ten of the transfusions were given preoperatively because of anemia, 7 were given intraoperatively, and 9 were given postoperatively. The seven intraoperative transfusions were given because of the physician's perception of excessive blood loss; however, none of the patients received an emergency transfusion with extreme urgency. That is, the need for the intraoperative transfusion was not immediate. All patients who received a transfusion could have waited for 20 to 30 minutes for proper type and crossmatching and subsequent transfusion. CONCLUSION: In the absence of preoperative indications, routine preoperative type-and-screen testing of blood before vaginal hysterectomy is not cost-effective, does not enhance patient care, and should be eliminated.

Blood Grouping and Crossmatching↗

PubMed1996

The economic cost of the medical-legal tort system.

OBJECTIVE: Our goal was to evaluate the financial expenditures of the medical-legal tort system on the single largest medical campus in the United States. STUDY DESIGN: The true financial expenditures directed to the medical-legal system were determined and related to the total revenue and expenses of the Detroit Medical Center. All costs were determined, including malpractice premiums, paid claims information, accrual expense information, and risk management administrative expenses for the fiscal years 1992, 1993, and 1994. RESULTS: The total medical-legal expenses for the years 1992, 1993, and 1994 were $73,732,000, $70,490,000, and $79,043,000, respectively. The claims paid to plaintiffs were 35.9%, 28.1%, and 28.1% for the same years. CONCLUSION: The medical-legal system process in the United States is very long and fraught with many inequities and inefficiencies. It was found that approximately 12% of the medical-legal expenditures of the Detroit Medical Center go to the individual alleged victim after defense and plaintiff attorney fees and costs and administrative costs. The failure of the American health care system could be in jeopardy if the nation's leaders do not reform the process to provide a more cost-effective system.

Legislation, Medical↗

PubMed1996

A cost-effectiveness evaluation of laparoscopic disposable versus nondisposable infraumbilical cannulas.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To compare the safety and cost-effectiveness of disposable and nondisposable infraumbilical laparoscopic cannulas. DESIGN: Retrospective review of consecutive laparoscopic procedures performed from July 1, 1988, to June 30, 1994. SETTING: A university-affiliated hospital. Patients. The 10,459 consecutive women who underwent laparoscopies. INTERVENTIONS: A 10-mm disposable cannula was used in 529 laparoscopies and a nondisposable cannula in 9930, based on physician preference. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: The only intraabdominal injuries associated with insertion of disposable and nondisposable cannulas were bowel injuries in one and three patients, respectively. The injury rates for the instruments were 19 and 3/10,000 cases, respectively, but were not statistically different (P <0.05, Fisher's two-tail exact test). The hospital cost per disposable cannula in 1994 was $63.71; the cost per procedure with the nondisposable cannula was amortized and was less than $1.35, including maintenance. CONCLUSION: Disposable cannulas were not cost effective and were associated with a higher but not statistically significant complication rate. Therefore, the more expensive disposable cannulas are not recommended.

Catheterization↗

PubMed1996

A cost analysis of endometrial ablation, abdominal hysterectomy, vaginal hysterectomy, and laparoscopic-assisted vaginal hysterectomy in the treatment of primary menorrhagia.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To assess the cost of four procedures performed to treat primary menorrhagia. DESIGN: Retrospective analysis. Setting. A 394-bed womens' teaching hospital. PATIENTS: Eighty healthy women undergoing one of the four procedures. Interventions. The study patients were equally divided among vaginal hysterectomy (VH), total abdominal hysterectomy (TAH), laparoscopic-assisted vaginal hysterectomy (LAVH), and endometrial ablation (EA). MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Endometrial ablation was associated with significantly reduced hospital costs and a shorter recovery period than the other modalities. Hospital costs were less for VH and return to work was quicker after LAVH and VH. This study did not evaluate long-term failures or complications unless they occurred within the first 2 months after the procedure. CONCLUSION: Among women who could be treated by any of these techniques, VH was significantly more cost effective for the permanent management of primary menorrhagia than LAVH and TAH. The cost efficiency of EA was clearly implied, but further studies must be completed to evaluate the long-term costs associated with treatment failures. Although physicians should not choose a procedure based exclusively on cost, the expense of a less efficient or more costly procedure may affect a hospital's competitiveness in this era of managed care.

Cost-Benefit Analysis↗

PubMed1995

Cost-effectiveness of routine blood type and screen testing before elective laparoscopy.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the usefulness and cost-effectiveness of the routine preoperative evaluation of blood type and screen testing before laparoscopy. METHODS: A retrospective review was conducted in patients transfused with blood during or after laparoscopy over a 3-year period at Hutzel Hospital, Detroit, Michigan; Grace Hospital, Southfield, Michigan; and Bixby Medical Center, Adrian, Michigan. RESULTS: Of 7529 women receiving laparoscopic procedures, 57 required blood transfusion at laparoscopy. Medical records of the 57 patients requiring blood transfusion were evaluated as to urgency and indication. All 57 subsequent blood transfusions were found to be the result of previously identifiable problems, including ectopic pregnancy and preoperative anemia. No patient required transfusion for a vascular injury. CONCLUSION: In the absence of preoperative indications, routine preoperative type and screen testing for elective and emergency laparoscopic procedures does not enhance patient care and should be eliminated.

Blood Grouping and Crossmatching↗

PubMedDate not supplied

An information system model for negotiating capitation contracts.

Capitation contracts require health care organizations to negotiate on a much more sophisticated and risky level. Understanding whether a capitation contract will allow a hospital to remain financially viable while providing quality care requires estimating the number of patients to be served, the amount and types of services to be offered, and the cost to provide them. This article presents an information system model designed to assist a large hospital, not only in determining true patient cost, but also in aggregating the cost information in different ways, such as conducting a case-mix analysis, to perform a more informed quote analysis for capitated contracts.

Academic Medical Centers↗