Market costs of short-term physician and nurse anesthesia services.

STUDY OBJECTIVE

To estimate the market costs of short-term physician and certified registered nurse-anesthesia (CRNA) services.

DESIGN

Survey of large locum tenens agencies.

SETTING

University hospital.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS

Negotiations were carried out with agencies for best prices for four weeks of routine anesthesia work. The average cost for an anesthesiologist was $133 per hour and a CRNA, $86 per hour. The agencies received approximately 18% of these costs.

CONCLUSIONS

Despite competitive pressures, the locum tenens market charges 55% more for physician than CRNA services. The implications for the different charges are discussed.