Quantifying Geographic Variation in Health Care Outcomes in the United States before and after Risk-Adjustment.

Background: Despite numerous studies of geographic variation in healthcare cost and utilization at the local, regional, and state levels across the U.S., a comprehensive characterization of geographic variation in outcomes has not been published.

Endovascular abdominal aortic aneurysm repair is more profitable than open repair based on contribution margin per day.

Background: Earlier studies have reported that endovascular abdominal aortic aneurysm (EAAA) repair yields lower total profit margins than open AAA (OAAA) repair. This study compared EAAA versus OAAA based on contribution margin per day, which may better measure profitability of new clinical technologies. Contribution margin equals revenue less variable direct costs (VDCs).

Aeromedical service: how does it actually contribute to the mission?

Background: Aeromedical services are important but poorly understood elements of many health systems. The purpose of this study is to describe the value of aeromedical transportation to our health system.

Methods: We profiled the top 10 admitting services for our Survival Flight (SF) aeromedical patients, the top 10 inpatient diagnosis-related groups (DRGs) for SF patients, SF's contribution to the top 10 revenue DRGs, SF revenue by payer, downstream revenue of fiscal year (FY) 1997 SF patients, FY01 downstream revenue of SF patients transported during the previous 5 years, and both intensive care unit stay and overall length of stay of SF patients.