Methods of cost control in urologic care

The urologist now has the capability of significantly reducing the cost of care for his patients. Major savings could occur by performing procedures, laboratory tests, and roentgenographic studies in proper sequence. The use of outpatient evaluations and surgery can save the patient expensive hospital room charges. Proper utilization of equipment would markedly decrease costly duplication of services. Quality of care cannot and will not be affected by these cost-saving measures. Furthermore, retrospective and prospective clinical studies should be instituted immediately to determine the pathophysiology of genitourinary disease, specifically answering the question of which laboratory tests have the highest diagnostic yield. Protocols could be started to eliminate wasteful low-yield procedures and to maximize diagnosis and therapy while minimizing cost. Finally, controls must be placed on the continuing trend toward an excess of physicians.