Impact of a collaborative care approach to radical cystectomy and urinary reconstruction.

PURPOSE

We report the results of a collaborative care program that has been developed for radical cystectomy and urinary reconstruction.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

All patients undergoing surgery after July 1993 were placed on a collaborative care pathway and were compared to patients undergoing the same procedure before this period.

RESULTS

Total adjusted hospital charges decreased from $31,174 to $19,479. Hospital stay decreased from 12.7 to 10.3 days. There were also decreases in duration of surgery, blood loss, intensive care unit use and postoperative morbidity rates.

CONCLUSIONS

Collaborative care pathways favorably affect the cost efficiency of care and provide favorable surgical outcomes.