Obstetric service demand is the main health need of the Vietnamese population in Guangxi, China: A cross-sectional study.

China has become an emerging destination for international migration, especially in some Association of South East Asian Nations countries, but the situation of migrants seeking medical care in China remains unclear. A retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted in a hospital in Chongzuo, which provides medical services for foreigners, to investigate the situation of Vietnamese people seeking health care in Guangxi, China. Vietnamese patients who visited the hospital between 2018 and 2020 were included in the study. Demographic characteristics, clinical characteristics, characteristics of payment for medical costs, and characteristics of hospitalization were compared between outpatients and inpatients. In total, 778 Vietnamese outpatients and 173 inpatients were included in this study. The percentages of female outpatients and inpatients were 93.44% and 88.44% (χ2 = 5.133, P = .023), respectively. Approximately 30% of outpatients and 47% of inpatients visited the hospital due to obstetric needs. The proportions of outpatients with basic medical insurance for urban residents, basic medical insurance for urban employees, and new cooperative medical schemes were 28.02%, 3.21%, and 2.31%, respectively. In comparison, the proportion of inpatients with the above 3 types of medical insurance was 16.76%, 1.73%, and 2.31%, respectively. The proportion of different payments for medical costs between outpatients and inpatients were significantly different (χ2 = 24.404, P < .01). Middle-aged Vietnamese females in Guangxi, China, may have much greater healthcare needs. Their main medical demand is for obstetric services. Measurements should be taken to improve the health services targeting Vietnamese female, but the legitimacy of Vietnamese in Guangxi is a major prerequisite for them to access more and better healthcare services.

The Evaluation of Payment for Obstetric and Gynecology Services: From ACOG.

PURPOSE: To perform an environmental scan of the current status of reimbursement for obstetric and gynecology services and identify problematic issues and opportunities for change. The areas that were evaluated include the American Medical Association (AMA) relative value unit assignment process, payer rates (where available), and trends in employment and salary determination for obstetrician-gynecologists (ob-gyns). METHODS: This report was developed by members of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists' (ACOG) Committee on Health Economics and Coding using public-facing payment data from the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule and state Medicaid programs, as well as published research and commentary on payment for physicians, maternal health, and gynecologic surgery. Data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention were used to describe typical patient characteristics, and practice survey reports from the AMA were analyzed. Finally, an anonymous online survey was distributed to 27,854 members of ACOG in March 2022, with a response rate of 10.8% (3,018 members) and a CI of ±1.7%. FINDINGS: The evaluation found that payment for ob-gyns is heavily influenced by the values and rates set by third-party payers, a patient case-mix that includes a higher-than-average number of patients with Medicaid insurance, and the increase of employed physicians reliant on salary contracts that include productivity requirements and bonuses. RECOMMENDATIONS: The Committee identified action items, including payment reform for obstetric services; advocating for gynecologic surgery time as a priority for hospital administration; developing resources to assist employed physicians with payment, practice, and business management; developing a business and coding curriculum for students and early-career physicians; and continued advocacy with private and public policymakers who influence physician payment.

Associations Between Historically Redlined Districts and Racial Disparities in Current Obstetric Outcomes.

Importance: Despite much higher health care expenditure than comparable countries, striking racial and ethnic disparities exist in obstetric outcomes in the United States. A multifaceted exploration of the factors influencing these disparities, including the legacy of structural racism, is important to improve health outcomes for all. Objective: To characterize the association of the historic racially discriminatory home loan practice of redlining with disparities in modern obstetric outcomes. Design, Setting, and Participants: In this retrospective cohort study of a 9-county birth certificate database in the Finger Lakes region of New York state from 2005 to 2018, modern obstetric outcomes were matched with regions classified by the federal government for mortgage loan servicing based on racially discriminatory criteria from the 1940 Home Owners' Loan Corporation map (HOLC; also known as the redline map). Patients with a live birth recorded in the data system with a recorded home zip code within the historic HOLC categories were included. Data were analyzed from July to December 2019. Exposure: Regions previously categorized by historic, racially discriminatory criteria. Main Outcomes and Measures: Each HOLC area was analyzed for the primary outcome of preterm birth and secondary outcomes of obstetric and medical complications, with logistic regression to address regional and patient-level covariates. Results: From 2005 until 2018, there were 64 804 live births within the 15 zip codes overlaying historic HOLC regions. Prevalence of preterm birth increased with decreasing HOLC categories, from the lowest overall preterm birth rate of 217 of 2873 births (7.55%) in the zip code historically defined as "Best" or "Still Desirable" and the highest overall preterm birth rate of 427 of 3449 births (12.38%) in the zip code historically defined as "Hazardous." These associations with preterm birth remained significant in logistic regression controlling for poverty levels and educational attainment (adjusted odds ratio, 1.46; 95% CI, 1.08-1.97) and parental race (adjusted odds ratio, 1.38; 95% CI, 1.25-1.53). Conclusions and Relevance: In this cohort study, the linkage of historic and modern community data sets with an obstetric data set offered the opportunity to characterize modern obstetric disparities associated with a system of historic inequity. The persistence of these findings after correcting for contemporary community socioeconomic characteristics suggest potential influences of a system of profound structural inequity that ripple forward in time, with impacts that extend beyond measurable socioeconomic inequity.

Value-based care in obstetrics: comparison between vaginal birth and caesarean section.

BACKGROUND: Healthcare costs have substantially increased in recent years, threatening the population health. Obstetric care is a significant contributor to this scenario since it represents 20% of healthcare. The rate of cesarean sections (C-sections) has escalated worldwide. Evidence shows that cesarean delivery is not only more expensive, but it is also linked to poorer maternal and neonatal outcomes. This study assesses which type of delivery is associated with a higher healthcare value in low-risk pregnancies. RESULTS: A total of 9345 deliveries were analyzed. The C-section group had significantly worse rates of breastfeeding in the first hour after delivery (92.57% vs 88.43%, p < 0.001), a higher rate of intensive unit care (ICU) admission both for the mother and the newborn (0.8% vs 0.3%, p = 0.001; 6.7% vs 4.5%, p = 0.0078 respectively), and a higher average cost of hospitalization (BRL14,342.04 vs BRL12,230.03 considering mothers and babies). CONCLUSION: Cesarean deliveries in low-risk pregnancies were associated with a lower value delivery because in addition to being more expensive, they had worse perinatal outcomes.

A model-based cost-utility analysis of multi-professional simulation training in obstetric emergencies.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the cost-utility of a multi-professional simulation training programme for obstetric emergencies-Practical Obstetric Multi-Professional Training (PROMPT)-with a particular focus on its impact on permanent obstetric brachial plexus injuries (OBPIs). DESIGN: A model-based cost-utility analysis. SETTING: Maternity units in England. POPULATION: Simulated cohorts of individuals affected by permanent OBPIs. METHODS: A decision tree model was developed to estimate the cost-utility of adopting annual, PROMPT training (scenario 1a) or standalone shoulder dystocia training (scenario 1b) in all maternity units in England compared to current practice, where only a proportion of English units use the training programme (scenario 2). The time horizon was 30 years and the analysis was conducted from an English National Health Service (NHS) and Personal Social Services perspective. A probabilistic sensitivity analysis was performed to account for uncertainties in the model parameters. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Outcomes for the entire simulated period included the following: total costs for PROMPT or shoulder dystocia training (including costs of OBPIs), number of OBPIs averted, number of affected adult/parental/dyadic quality adjusted life years (QALYs) gained and the incremental cost per QALY gained. RESULTS: Nationwide PROMPT or shoulder dystocia training conferred significant savings (in excess of £1 billion ($1.5 billion)) compared to current practice, resulting in cost-savings of at least £1 million ($1.5 million) per any type of QALY gained. The probabilistic sensitivity analysis demonstrated similar findings. CONCLUSION: In this model, national implementation of multi-professional simulation training for obstetric emergencies (or standalone shoulder dystocia training) in England appeared to both be cost-saving when evaluating their impact on permanent OBPIs.

Current Trends in Compensation for Fellowship in Minimally Invasive Gynecologic Surgery Graduates: A 6-Year Follow-Up.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To present updated information regarding compensation patterns for Fellowship in Minimally Invasive Gynecologic Surgery (FMIGS)-graduated physicians in the United States beginning practice during the last 10 years, focusing on the variables that have an impact on differences in salary, including gender, fellowship duration, geographic region, practice setting, and practice mix. DESIGN: An online survey was sent to FMIGS graduates between March 15, 2019 and April 12, 2019. Information on physicians' demographics, compensation (on the basis of location, practice model, productivity benchmarks, academic rank, and years in practice), and attitudes toward fairness in compensation was collected. SETTING: Online survey. PARTICIPANTS: FMIGS graduates practicing in the United States. INTERVENTION: E-mail survey. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: We surveyed 298 US FMIGS surgeons who had graduated during the last 10 years (2009-2018). The response rate was 48.7%. Most of the respondents were women (69%). Most of the graduates (84.8%) completed 2- or 3-year fellowship programs. After adjustment for inflation, the median starting salary for the first postfellowship job was $252 074 ($223 986-$279 983) (Table 1). The median time spent in the first job was 2.6 years, and the median total salary at the current year rose to $278 379.4 ($241 437-$350 976). The median salary for respondents entering a second postfellowship job started at $280 945 ($261 409-$329 603). Significantly lower compensation was reported for female FMIGS graduates in their initial postfellowship jobs and was consistently lower than for that of men over time. Most FMIGS graduates (59.7%) reported feeling inadequately compensated for their level of specialization. CONCLUSION: A trend toward higher self-reported salaries is noted for FMIGS graduates in recent years, with significant differences in compensation between men and women. Among obstetrics and gynecology subspecialists, FMIGS graduates earn significantly less than other fellowship-trained physicians, with median salaries that are lower than those of generalist obstetrics and gynecology physicians.

Differential Uptake of Telehealth for Prenatal Care in a Large New York City Academic Obstetrical Practice during the COVID-19 Pandemic.

During the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic in New York City, telehealth was rapidly implemented for obstetric patients. Though telehealth for prenatal care is safe and effective, significant concerns exist regarding equity in access among low-income populations. We performed a retrospective cohort study evaluating utilization of telehealth for prenatal care in a large academic practice in New York City, comparing women with public and private insurance. We found that patients with public insurance were less likely to have at least one telehealth visit than women with private insurance (60.9 vs. 87.3%, p < 0.001). After stratifying by borough, this difference remained significant in Brooklyn, one of the boroughs hardest hit by the pandemic. As COVID-19 continues to spread around the country, obstetric providers must work to ensure that all patients, particularly those with public insurance, have equal access to telehealth. KEY POINTS: · Telehealth for prenatal care is frequently utilized during the COVID-19 pandemic.. · Significant concerns exist regarding equity in access among lower-income populations.. · Women with public insurance in New York City were less likely to access telehealth for prenatal care..

Impact of COVID-19 on the cost of surgical and obstetric care: experience from a Nigerian teaching hospital and a review of the Nigerian situation.

The public health impact of the COVID-19 pandemic cannot be overstated. Its impact on the cost of surgical and obstetric care is significant. More so, in a country like Nigeria, where even before the pandemic, out-of-pocket spending (OOPS) has been the major payment method for healthcare. The increased cost of surgical and obstetric care occasioned by the pandemic has principally been due to the additional burden of ensuring the use of adequate/appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) during patient care as a disease containment measure. These PPE are not readily available in public hospitals across Nigeria. Patients are therefore compelled to bear the financial burden of procuring scarce PPE for use by health care personnel, further increasing the already high cost of healthcare. In this study, we sought to appraise the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the cost of surgical and obstetric care in Nigeria, drawing from the experience from one of the major Nigerian teaching hospitals- the Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospitals Complex (OAUTHC), Ile-Ife, Osun State. The cost of surgical and obstetric care was reviewed and compared pre- and during the COVID-19 pandemic, deriving relevant examples from some commonly performed surgical operations in our centre (OAUTHC). We reviewed patients' hospital bills and receipts of consumables procured for surgery. Our findings revealed that the cost of surgical and obstetric care during the COVID-19 pandemic had significantly increased. We identified gaps and made relevant recommendations on measures to reduce the additional costs of surgical and obstetric care during and beyond pandemic.

Private Equity Investments in Women's Health and Obstetrics and Gynecology Practices.

Private equity has evolved into a major force in health care, with deal values and volumes rising year-over-year as these firms purchase hospital systems and physician groups. Historically, these investors have played an outsized role in highly reimbursed specialties such as dermatology and anesthesia. Private equity is relatively new to women's health; when it has invested in this sector, it has typically done so in fertility services. In recent years, however, private equity firms have ventured into general obstetrics and gynecology, drawn by its promise of steady returns, its fragmented landscape, and the potential to integrate related laboratory, ultrasound, and fertility services into obstetric care. Obstetrics and gynecology practices may soon face the prospect of acquisition by private equity firms offering professional management, centralized back-office functions, streamlined customer service, and the capital needed to reach a broader patient base. However, physicians may have concerns about the tradeoffs that accompany private equity acquisitions. Private equity-owned practices have been known to increase the use of lucrative services, deploy advanced practice professionals in place of physicians, and circumvent conflict-of-interest laws, potentially distorting clinical care and driving up costs for consumers. Furthermore, firms generally aim to exit their investment within a 3- to 7-year timeframe, and short-term growth plans may leave physician-owners with uncertain long-term management. As private equity makes headway into women's health, physicians and policymakers must pay closer attention to how this activity can change practice patterns and transform local health care markets while also demanding transparency in the process.

Clinical implications and economic effects of the Coronavirus pandemic on gynecology, obstetrics and reproductive medicine in Germany: learning from Italy.

The infection with the novel SARS Cov-2 Coronavirus, the cause of severe acute respiratory distress syndrome, possessing its origin in the Chinese province Hubei, has reached the extent of a global pandemic within a few months. After aerosol infection, most people experience mild respiratory infection with cold symptoms such as cough and fever, and healing within two weeks. In about 5% of those infected, however, a severe course develops with the occurrence of multiple subpleural bronchopulmonary infiltrates and even death as a result of respiratory failure. The Coronavirus pandemic has multiple impacts on social life that have not been seen before. For example, the government adopted measures to curb the exponential spread of the virus, which included a significant reduction in social contacts. Furthermore, the specialist societies recommended that no elective treatments be carried out during the pandemic period. This review article considers epidemiological aspects of novel Coronavirus infection and presents both the clinical as well the possible economic effects of the pandemic on gynecology, obstetrics and reproductive medicine in Germany in the past, present and future. In addition, useful preventive measures for daily clinical work and the previously known scientific findings dealing with the impact of Coronavirus on pregnancy and birth are discussed.

Cost and reimbursement of providing routine vaccines in outpatient obstetrician/gynecologist settings.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the costs and reimbursement associated with running a vaccine program in 5 obstetrics/gynecology practices in Colorado that had participated in a 3-year randomized, controlled trial focused on increasing vaccination in this setting. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a secondary analysis on costs from 5 clinics participating in a cluster-randomized controlled trial that assessed the effectiveness of a multimodal intervention to improve vaccination rates in outpatient obstetrics/gynecology clinics in central Colorado. The intervention included designation of an immunization champion within the practice, purchasing recommended vaccines for the practice, guidance on storage and management, implementing practices for routine identification of eligible patients for vaccination using the medical record, implementation of standing orders for vaccination, and vaccine administration to patients. Data on costs were gathered from office invoices, claims data, surveys and in-person observations during the course of the trial. These data incorporated supply and personnel costs for administering vaccines to individual patients that were derived from a combination of time-motion studies of staff and provider clinical activity, and practice reports, as well as costs related to maintaining the vaccination program at the practice level, which were derived from practice reports and invoices. Cost data for personnel time during visits in which vaccination was assessed and/or discussed, but no vaccine was given to the patient were also included in the main analysis. Data on practice revenue were derived from practice reimbursement records. All costs were described in 2014 dollars. The primary analysis was the proportion of costs for the program that were reimbursed, aggregated over all years of the study and combining all vaccines and practices, separated by obstetrics vs gynecology patients. RESULTS: Collectively the 5 clinics served >40,000 patient during the study period and served a population that was 16% Medicaid. Over the 3-year observation period, there were 6573 vaccination claims made collectively by the practices (4657 for obstetric patients, 1916 for gynecology patients). The most expensive component of the program was the material costs of the vaccines themselves, which ranged from a low of $9.67 for influenza vaccines, to a high of $141.40 for human papillomavirus vaccine. Staff costs for assessing and delivering vaccines during patient visits were minimal ($0.09-$1.24 per patient visit depending on the practice and whether an obstetrics or gynecology visit was being assessed) compared with staff costs for maintaining the program at a practice level (ie, assessing inventory, ordering and stocking vaccines; $0.89-$105.89 per vaccine dose given). When assessing all costs compared with all reimbursement, we found that vaccines for obstetrics patients were reimbursed at 159% of the costs over the study period, and for gynecology patients at 97% of the costs. Overall, the vaccination program was financially favorable across the practices, averaging 125% reimbursement of costs across the three study years. CONCLUSION: Providing routine vaccines to patients in the ambulatory obstetrics/gynecology setting is generally not financially prohibitive for practices, and may even be financially beneficial, though there is variability between practices that can affect the overall reimbursement margin.

The Impact of Medicaid Managed Care on Obstetrical Care and Birth Outcomes: A Case Study.

Background: As Medicaid has increasingly financed managed care plans since the 1990s, it is important to understand the corresponding impacts on the well-being of disadvantaged mothers and infants. This study examines how a Medicaid managed care (MMC) program in Pennsylvania (PA) impacts disadvantaged women's obstetrical care utilization and access as well as their birth outcomes. Materials and Methods: This study uses a dataset of PA disadvantaged women who had multiple singleton births in 1994-2004. As to the empirical approach, we apply a linear multiple regression model to implement a pre-post design with control groups. The model also controls for unmeasured maternal birth-invariant characteristics, which affect take-up of Medicaid coverage and managed care plans. Results: The sample for the main analysis consists of 78,346 sibling births. We find the program roll-out reduces usage of some high-tech obstetrical services and limits access to high-quality hospital services, thereby contributing to cost savings. However, implementation of the program is also associated with deterioration in birth outcomes, worse prenatal care, and an elevated risk of inappropriate gestational weight gain. Conclusions: Cost containment through transition to MMC can be fulfilled at the price of maternal health care utilization and infant welfare. Therefore, caution is needed in design and delivery of managed care to low-income women.

Coding and Legal Issues in Obstetric and Gynecologic Ultrasound.

This article addresses coding and liability related to obstetric and gynecologic ultrasound examinations. The coding section includes an overview of general concepts, highlighting the differences between coding in hospital-owned facilities and provider-owned clinics. It also addresses the importance of correct International Classification of Diseases, 10th edition, coding, emphasizing the use of the most specific applicable codes. This section discusses proper coding and applicable parameters for early pregnancy and gynecologic ultrasound examination. The liability section addresses common errors leading to litigation in obstetric and gynecologic ultrasound practice. Examples are given demonstrating how such errors lead to liability actions.

Framework for developing a national surgical, obstetric and anaesthesia plan.

Background: Emergency and essential surgical, obstetric and anaesthesia (SOA) care are now recognized components of universal health coverage, necessary for a functional health system. To improve surgical care at a national level, strategic planning addressing the six domains of a surgical system is needed. This paper details a process for development of a national surgical, obstetric and anaesthesia plan (NSOAP) based on the experiences of frontline providers, Ministry of Health officials, WHO leaders, and consultants. Methods: Development of a NSOAP involves eight key steps: Ministry support and ownership; situation analysis and baseline assessments; stakeholder engagement and priority setting; drafting and validation; monitoring and evaluation; costing; governance; and implementation. Drafting a NSOAP involves defining the current gaps in care, synthesizing and prioritizing solutions, and providing an implementation and monitoring plan with a projected cost for the six domains of a surgical system: infrastructure, service delivery, workforce, information management, finance and governance. Results: To date, four countries have completed NSOAPs and 23 more have committed to development. Lessons learned from these previous NSOAP processes are described in detail. Conclusion: There is global movement to address the burden of surgical disease, improving quality and access to SOA care. The development of a strategic plan to address gaps across the SOA system systematically is a critical first step to ensuring countrywide scale-up of surgical system-strengthening activities.

Antecedentes: En la actualidad, se reconoce que la atención quirúrgica, obstétrica y anestésica urgente y esencial (surgical, obstetric, and anaesthesia, SOA) es uno de los componentes de la cobertura sanitaria universal y un elemento necesario para el funcionamiento de un sistema de salud. Para mejorar la atención quirúrgica a nivel nacional, se necesita una planificación estratégica que aborde los seis dominios de un sistema quirúrgico. En este artículo, se detalla el proceso para el desarrollo de un plan nacional de cirugía, obstetricia y anestesia (national surgical, obstetric, and anaesthesia plan, NSOAP) basado en las experiencias de los principales proveedores, los funcionarios del Ministerio de Salud, los líderes de la Organización Mundial de la Salud y consultores. Métodos: El desarrollo de un NSOAP incluye ocho pasos clave: (1) apoyo y dependencia del ministerio, (2) análisis de la situación y evaluaciones de referencia, (3) compromiso de los agentes implicados y establecimiento de prioridades, (4) redacción y validación, (5) seguimiento y evaluación, (6) análisis de costes, (7) gobernanza y (8) implementación. Redactar un NSOAP implica definir los déficits actuales en la atención, sintetizar y priorizar soluciones, y proporcionar un plan de implementación y seguimiento con unos costes proyectados para los seis dominios de un sistema quirúrgico: infraestructura, prestación de servicios, personal, gestión de la información, finanzas y gobernanza. Resultados: Hasta la fecha, cuatro países han completado un NSOAP y 23 más se han comprometido con su desarrollo. Las lecciones aprendidas de estos procesos previos de NSOAP se describen con detalle. Conclusiones: Existe un movimiento global para abordar la carga de las enfermedades que precisan cirugía, mejorar la calidad y el acceso a la atención SOA. El desarrollo de un plan estratégico para la aproximación sistemáticamente los déficits en todo el sistema SOA es un primer paso crítico para garantizar la ampliación a nivel nacional de las actividades de fortalecimiento del sistema quirúrgico.

Challenges in the Era of Coding and Corporatization.

The past 40 years have witnessed a major redesign of health care, largely driven by rampantly increasing costs and the perception of lack of better outcomes to justify those costs. Many demographic changes have also challenged the women's health care provider workforce, and evolving new payment systems are likewise a source of angst for these providers. Managed care is seeking to cut costs, and the challenge is to do so without sacrificing quality. Burnout is a new challenge in the present environment. There is now an opportunity to meet these challenges and provide the excellent care our patients deserve.

Cost of providing emergency obstetric care in Tanzania's Kigoma region.

BACKGROUND: The provision of Emergency Obstetric and Neonatal Care (EmONC) is critical for reducing maternal mortality, yet little is known about the costs of EmONC services in developing countries. This study estimates these costs at six health facilities in Tanzania's Kigoma region. METHODS: The study took a comprehensive programmatic approach considering all sources of financial and in-kind support over a 1-year period (1 July 2012 to 30 June 2013). Data were collected retrospectively and costs disaggregated by input, sources of support, programmatic activity, and patient type (nonsurgical, surgical patients, and among the latter patients undergoing caesarean sections). RESULTS: The median per-patient cost across the six facilities was $290. Personnel and equipment purchases accounted for the largest proportions of the total costs, representing 32% and 28%, respectively. Average per-patient costs varied by patient type; cost per nonsurgical patient was $80, $258 for surgical patients and $426 for patients undergoing caesarean sections. Per-patient costs also varied substantially by facility type: mean per-patient cost at health centres was $620 compared with $169 at hospitals. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides the first cost estimates of EmONC provision in Kigoma. These estimates could inform programme planning and highlight areas with potential scope for cost reductions.

Surgical Equipment Price Awareness Amongst Obstetrician-Gynecologists.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Physicians typically have little information of surgical device pricing, although this trend has not been studied in the field of obstetrics and gynecology. We therefore aimed to determine how accurately obstetrician-gynecologists estimate surgical device prices, and to identify factors associated with accuracy. METHODS: An anonymous survey was emailed to all obstetrician-gynecologist attendings, fellows, and residents at 3 teaching hospitals in a single healthcare system in Arizona. We obtained demographic data, perceptions of price transparency and self-rated price knowledge, and price estimates for 31 surgical devices. RESULTS: After participants provided consent and demographics, they then estimated the purchasing price of 31 devices. We defined price accuracy as being within ±10% of the hospital's purchasing price. Fifty-six of the 170 (32.9%) invitees completed the survey and 48 (28.2%) provided price estimates. On average, participants identified 1.9 items correctly (6.1%; range, 0-7 items) out of 31 with no difference in accuracy based on seniority, surgical volume, physician reimbursement structure, nor subspecialty practice-focus. All (100%) respondents felt pricing should be transparent, and only 1.8% felt it is at least somewhat transparent. CONCLUSION: We found that price-estimate accuracy was very low and had no association with any of the demographics. Also notable was the perception that pricing is not transparent despite a unanimous desire for transparency. Although physicians reported a preference for using less-expensive surgical devices, we conclude that physicians are unequipped to make cost-conscious decisions highlighting a large potential for education.

Affordable and low-maintenance obstetric devices.

OBJECTIVE: Adequate obstetric care requires the availability of essential diagnostic and management equipment; however, for centers with budget restrictions, the acquisition and maintenance of these devices can pose major challenges. The purpose of the present paper is to disseminate knowledge about the availability of affordable and low-maintenance obstetric devices, which might help to save lives in low- and medium-resource countries. METHOD: Over the course of 2015-2018, the International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) Safe Motherhood and Newborn Health Committee acquired information from different clinical and commercial sources regarding the availability of affordable and low-maintenance essential obstetric devices. RESULTS: The Committee identified several devices that met the criteria of low cost and ease of maintenance: a winding handheld Doppler device for intermittent auscultation; a portable continuous fetal heart rate monitor; a validated semi-automated blood pressure monitor; the Foley catheter balloon for labor induction in women with an unfavorable cervix; reusable metal and plastic vacuum cups and manual pumps; an intrauterine tamponade balloon; and the non-pneumatic anti-shock garment. CONCLUSION: Several affordable and low-maintenance obstetric devices are currently available that offer the potential to save lives in resource-constrained settings.