Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of an outcomes-management program designed to provide high-quality patient care, generate data for outcomes research, and decrease costs in a managed-care environment.
Methods: An outcomes-management program was launched in June 1994, based on the elimination of wasteful or ineffective therapies through the systematic development of practice guidelines and collaborative care paths, with concomitant definition of desired outcomes. Over 3 months, care paths were developed for our most common surgical procedures. A matched control outcomes study was undertaken for the most commonly performed gynecologic oncology procedure: total abdominal hysterectomy and oophorectomy with pelvic and para-aortic node sampling for endometrial cancer. Thirty consecutive women treated on the care path were compared with 29 matched controls accrued during the period of care-path planning and with 73 controls from the period preceding care-path planning. Patient satisfaction with care-path treatment was assessed by a survey sent 2 weeks after discharge.
Results: Median length of hospital stay decreased significantly, from 6 days before care-path planning to 4 days after care-path implementation (P < .001). Median laboratory costs decreased by 74% (P < .001), medication costs by 35% (P < .001), room costs by 29% (P < .001), and total hospital costs by 20% (P < .002). Incremental improvements were observed during care-path planning. There were no readmissions for complications in the care-path group. According to the survey results, patient satisfaction with care was very high among care-path patients.
Conclusions: A physician-driven outcomes-management program in an academic setting permits the delivery of high-quality care and supports outcomes research while decreasing costs.