Areas with higher spending on vascular care for do not see significantly higher amputation rates in patients with severe peripheral arterial disease, suggesting increased spending does not lead to higher quality, according to an article in JAMA Surgery.
Researchers analyzed data from approximately 18,500 Medicare patients who underwent PAD-related amputations between 2003 and 2010.
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While revascularization following amputation was associated with higher spending, higher spending was not associated with reduced amputations in any U.S. region. Regions with more frequent endovascular interventions in the year before amputation spent more and performed more amputations.
Researchers concluded spending could be decreased for patients with severe PAD without compromising quality of care.
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