Case costing's contribution to utilization review activities: a review of a laparoscopic cholecystectomy patient population

The Ottawa General Hospital is one of 13 Ontario hospitals participating in the Ontario Case Cost Project. The hospital has been collecting clinical and financial information based on the patient-specific use of products and services since April 1, 1993. The resulting decision-support database that is evolving enhances the traditional utilization review process. The author presents the analysis and conclusions regarding laparoscopic cholecystectomy patients as an example of the hospital's use of the data in utilization review activities.