Study: Decision Aids Can Reduce Hospital Treatment Costs

Decision aids, which are evidence-based health materials and literature to help educate patients about their treatment options, could lower hospital treatment costs and reduce procedures, according to a study from Health Affairs.

The study specifically looked at patients who were considering hip and knee replacements. When researchers provided decision aids to patients — in this instance, joint disorder aids included recommendations to lose weight, increase physical activity and take medications for treating osteoarthritis — there were 26 percent fewer hip replacement surgeries and 38 percent fewer knee replacement surgeries.


Costs were also lowered by up to 21 percent over six months. According to a Kaiser Health News report, patients with hip osteoarthritis who used decision aids had a total treatment cost of $13,489 — an 18.5 percent decrease from the control group, which had a cost of $16,557.

More Articles on Hospital Costs:

California Bill Would Require Insurers to Slash Chemotherapy Pill Costs

Many Hospitals Aren't Notified of Incoming Stroke Patients Despite Benefits

Hippocratic Oath vs. Cost Consciousness: The Great Debate for Physicians

Copyright © 2024 Becker's Healthcare. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy. Cookie Policy. Linking and Reprinting Policy.

 

Featured Whitepapers

Featured Webinars