Quick diagnosis units — units in Spain that diagnose patients who would normally require hospitalization — are similarly effective as hospitalization in diagnosing patients, but are less costly, according to an American Journal of Emergency Medicine study.
Researchers studied 4,170 consecutive patients and a retrospective cohort of 3,030 hospitalized patients.
From December 2007 to December 2009, 36 percent of emergency department patients were referred to quick diagnosis units and 65 percent were hospitalized. From January 2010 to January 2012, 64 percent of ED patients were referred to quick diagnosis units and 35 percent were hospitalized.
Approximately 84 percent to 91 percent of hospitalized patients were stable for quick diagnosis unit workup, and their hospitalization might have been avoided, according to the study. The cost per process for hospitalized patients was €3241.11, whereas the cost for quick diagnosis patients was €726.47.
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Researchers studied 4,170 consecutive patients and a retrospective cohort of 3,030 hospitalized patients.
From December 2007 to December 2009, 36 percent of emergency department patients were referred to quick diagnosis units and 65 percent were hospitalized. From January 2010 to January 2012, 64 percent of ED patients were referred to quick diagnosis units and 35 percent were hospitalized.
Approximately 84 percent to 91 percent of hospitalized patients were stable for quick diagnosis unit workup, and their hospitalization might have been avoided, according to the study. The cost per process for hospitalized patients was €3241.11, whereas the cost for quick diagnosis patients was €726.47.
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