Disease cost in a surgical ward. Issue 6164 (10th March 1979)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Harper, D R
• Is Part Of: BMJ. Volume 1:Issue 6164(1979)
• Page Start: 647
• Page End: 649
• Publication Date: 1979-03-10
• Subjects: Medicine -- Periodicals; Medicine -- Periodicals; Medicine; Periodicals; 610
• DOI: 10.1136/bmj.1.6164.647
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0007-1447

Abstract

Abstract : Data relating to the cost of caring for individual patients were collected for all patients in a general surgical ward over a six-month period. From this the cost per patient was calculated for various diseases and was found to be related to duration of stay. Postoperative morbidity was important in determining cost. A system that calculates cost by means of units based on the use of resources rather than by cash cost accounting is probably the most suitable for a clinician who has to monitor resources.