Health services research
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Health services research · Jun 1996
Physician impact on hospital admission and on mortality rates in the Medicare population.
We assess the effect of variations in the supply and specialty distribution of physicians on admission rates for ambulatory care-sensitive conditions (ACS) and for all causes, and on mortality rates among Medicare beneficiaries of various health care service areas (HCSA). ⋯ Physician supply levels and the proportions of specialists and generalists have negligible effects on health status as measured by mortality rates and by rates of admission for all causes and for conditions presumed to be sensitive to the adequacy of ambulatory care. Reductions in admissions for such conditions are not likely to be achieved through broadening of insurance to levels that exist under Medicare, nor through increases in the supply of physicians, nor, conversely, through a reduction in any presumed oversupply of physicians.
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Health services research · Jun 1996
Using physician claims to identify postoperative complications of carotid endarterectomy.
This study develops a methodology for identifying complications following carotid endarterectomy, using physician claims data. ⋯ Our findings suggest that physician claims could be used by PROs or similar entities as a screening tool to identify potential problem hospitals or problem surgeons. First, however, the methodology would need to be clinically validated.