Researchers offered insights into anesthesia drug costs and preoperative evaluation at the American Society of Anesthesiologists' Practice Management 2019, Jan. 18-20 in Las Vegas, according to Anesthesia Business Consultants President and CEO Tony Mira.
Two takeaways:
1. A study by Chapel Hill-based University of North Carolina Hospitals researchers found anesthesia department members have little awareness of intravenous drug costs. It also revealed they were interested in having a central resource, such as a website or mobile app, for information on IV drug costs.
2. Cleveland Clinic researchers evaluated whether a screening tool could identify low-risk patients who didn't need to be seen in person prior to surgery. The researchers concluded a 13-item questionnaire accurately identified all patients who had been referred for further consultations.