Hospital administrators estimate one-third of healthcare costs are the result of tests and treatments that aren't medically necessary and ordered to prevent lawsuits, according to a new survey by Atlanta-based Jackson Healthcare.
The survey also made the following findings:
- 94 percent of survey participants affirmed the practice of defensive medicine drives up healthcare costs in the
- Survey participants estimated 57 percent of physicians practice defensive medicine.
- 32 percent of participants believe defensive medicine has a negative impact on the quality of patient care.
A total of 106 hospital executives completed the Jackson Healthcare survey from February 7 to March 25. To qualify, participants answered they believe some physicians practice defensive medicine. The error range for the survey was +/-9.5 percent at the 95 percent confidence level.
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