Researchers have found that an average of only 38 percent of emergency medicine healthcare professionals -- including physicians, physician assistants and nurse practitioners -- accurately estimated the costs for three common conditions seen in the emergency department.
Improving that percentage has the potential to lower costs for patients and the overall healthcare system, according to a study published in The Journal of the American Osteopathic Association.
A survey of 441 emergency medicine professionals asked them to identify the cost of care for three common scenarios: a 35-year-old woman with abdominal pain, a 57-year-old man with labored breathing and a 7-year-old boy with a sore throat. The survey participants received a medical history, focused physical exam findings, diagnostic tests and interventions and were given four cost ranges for each scenario.
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The correct cost range was chosen by 43 percent of respondents for the woman with abdominal pain, 32 percent for the man with labored breathing and 40 percent for the child with a sore throat.
Kevin Hoffman, DO, an emergency medicine resident at Lakeland Health in Saint Joseph, Michigan, led the research and said in a statement that the findings highlight a solid case for making the costs of care more transparent in the emergency room.
"Early in my residency, I realized I had no idea how much money I was spending with all the tests and medications I ordered -- mostly because it's just not discussed," he said. "Osteopathic physicians take a whole-person approach to care. We believe it's important to account for the emotional, mental and physical effects of care -- which increasingly means understanding the financial burden."
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He said it's the responsibility of all physicians to control costs for patients and the healthcare system. But identifying treatment options that are both economical and effective becomes even more critical in emergency department care, as it can be financially crippling for patients without insurance. Adding the price of tests and medications to the order entry system could result in lower costs while maintaining safe and positive outcomes,
"It's a good tool that helps doctors make a connection between the treatment they're providing and the bill that's going to hit the patient -- or in many cases, the taxpayers," said Hoffman. "If I order a drug to be given via IV, it's going to be a lot more expensive than if I give it orally, as a pill. In many cases, both are equally effective."
Demographic data was collected for each respondent, showing that geography had no bearing on correct answers. However, those working in larger institutions did lean toward higher cost estimates. Respondents with higher levels of training believed they had a greater understanding of costs, yet performed no better in accurately selecting the correct range.
Twitter: @JELagasse