PT  - JOURNAL ARTICLE
AU  - Hahn, Ricardo G.
AU  - Ho, Sam
AU  - Roi, Larry D.
AU  - Bugarin-Viera, Magdalena
AU  - Davies, Terence C.
AU  - Rodney, Wm. McMillan
TI  - Cost-Effectiveness Of Office Obstetrical Ultrasound In Family Practice: Preliminary Considerations
AID  - 10.3122/jabfm.1.1.33
DP  - 1988 Jan 01
TA  - The Journal of the American Board of Family
                Practice
PG  - 33--38
VI  - 1
IP  - 1
4099  - http://www.jabfm.org/content/1/1/33.short
4100  - http://www.jabfm.org/content/1/1/33.full
SO  - J Am Board Fam Med1988 Jan 01; 1
AB  - This study reports costs incurred over a nine-and-one-half-month period following the introduction of obstetrical ultrasound into a group family practice serving primarily prepaid health plan patients. During this introductory period, 248 examinations were performed by family physicians and refereed by a radiologist for accuracy. The estimated cost to the practice was $95 per examination. This figure includes physician training expenses, professional fees, personnel, equipment and maintenance costs, costs for exams repeated due to technical error, and costs for additional consultation by a radiologist. Previously, all exams were referred to other consultants, and the charge was $185 per exam. Thus, in-office ultrasound exams performed by family physicians can provide cost savings while maintaining high standards of obstetric care.