J Korean Soc Emerg Med.
2003 Mar;14(1):5-8.
The Analysis of Emergency Department Costs
- Affiliations
-
- 1Department of Emergency Medicine, Pochon CHA University College of Medicine, Seongnam, Korea. er5846@hanmail.net
- 2Department of Internal Medicine, Pochon CHA University College of Medicine, Seongnam, Korea.
Abstract
- PURPOSE
To report the distribution of emergency department costs by category of expense and level of patient urgency.
METHODS
We retrospectively analyzed the cases of 36,329 patients who visited the emergency department of Pundang CHA hospital during the recent 1year. the patients were divided into two groups : urgent group and non urgent group. Physician, facility, supply, pharmacy, laboratory, and radiology costs were considered.
RESULTS
The average costs were urgent visits, 96,124 won; nonurgent visits, 87,028 won. For all patients, the average costs were radiology, 29%; facility, 26%; laboratory, 21%; physician, 12%; pharmacy, 8%; supply, 4%.
CONCLUSION
The distribution of ED costs were similiar to regardless of the urgency of the medical condition. Overall improved cost efficiency can be achieved through reductions in the Variable costs of ED.
