ABSTRACT
This study assessed utilization of health services among 1,317 adults referred to an outpatient Psychiatry Department alcohol treatment program from July, 1988 through December, 1989. The mean number of visits/year for 1 year before and 4 years after treatment referral were compared for all outpatient clinics combined and 4 clinic subgroups; the mean number of hospitalizations and number of days hospitalized were also analyzed. Overall, utilization was higher before treatment than after, except for Psychiatry Department visits. Amount of treatment received had little effect on utilization. These results suggest that alcoholism treatment contributes to a reduction in higher cost health services utilization.
Subject(s)
Alcoholism/rehabilitation , Health Services/statistics & numerical data , Referral and Consultation/statistics & numerical data , Adult , Alcoholism/epidemiology , California , Female , Humans , Length of Stay/statistics & numerical data , Male , Middle Aged , Patient Admission/statistics & numerical data , Utilization ReviewABSTRACT
Diagnostic ultrasound examinations of the abdomen are usually performed prior to barium studies due to deleterious effects of gastrointestinal contrast material on abdominal echography, as demonstrated by Leopold. The authors repeat the classic in vitro study, extending the time of the experiment. As barium settles, ultrasound is able to penetrate barium filled masses. A clinical case of barium filled stomach secondary to gastric outlet obstruction is presented in support of the in vitro findings. Patients with persistent collections of barium of one or two days' duration may undergo abdominal ultrasonic examinations.