Ways for Surgeons to Increase the Efficiency of Their Use of Hospitals

Pressure from the federal government and industry to improve the efficiency of medical-care delivery will continue to increase. There is considerable evidence that various kinds of overuse are common, but traditional medical education, conflicting reimbursement incentives, a laissez faire approach to the economic consequences of medical practice, and aggressive marketing programs have provided an environment resistant to change. Today, physicians are being compelled, both by regulatory initiatives and competition from health-maintenance organizations and other alternative delivery systems, to reexamine traditional practice routines, with the goal of achieving cost savings from decreased hospitalization and less use of diagnostic and treatment procedures. . . .