Effects of health care cost-containment programs on patterns of care and readmissions among children and adolescents

T.M. Wickizer, D. Lessler and J. Boyd-Wickizer

American Journal of Public Health, 1999, vol. 89, issue 9, 1353-1358

Abstract: Objectives. This study examined the effects of a utilization management program on patterns of medical care among children and adolescents. Methods. From 1989 through 1993, the program conducted 8568 reviews of pediatric patients, ranging in age from birth to 18 years. The program used preadmission and concurrent review procedures to review and certify patients' need for care. This study used multivariate analyses to assess changes in the number of days of inpatient care approved by the program and to determine whether limitations imposed on length of stay affected the risk of 60-day readmission. Results. Concurrent review reduced the number of requested days of inpatient care by 3.2 days per patient. Low-birthweight infants and adolescent patients with depression or alcohol or drug dependence accounted for a disproportionate share of the reduction. Patients classified as admitted for medical or mental health care and whose stay was restricted by concurrent review were more likely (P

Date: 1999
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:aph:ajpbhl:1999:89:9:1353-1358_2

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