RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Cost-Effectiveness Of Office Obstetrical Ultrasound In Family Practice: Preliminary Considerations
JF The Journal of the American Board of Family
                Practice
JO J Am Board Fam Med
FD American Board of Family Medicine
SP 33
OP 38
DO 10.3122/jabfm.1.1.33
VO 1
IS 1
A1 Ricardo G. Hahn
A1 Sam Ho
A1 Larry D. Roi
A1 Magdalena Bugarin-Viera
A1 Terence C. Davies
A1 Wm. McMillan Rodney
YR 1988
UL http://www.jabfm.org/content/1/1/33.abstract
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.