Influence of managed care and health maintenance organizations on the clinical microbiology laboratory.

This article outlines the main source of the relentless cost squeeze facing health care and clinical microbiology in the 1990s, the explosive growth in services available, services done, and services demanded. The author also explained why he believes some type of rationing is inevitable. Health care professionals must enter the debate on how to ration or face unpleasant consequences. The approach outlined here is one proven way to create testing and treatment guidelines based on health outcomes as well as consumer satisfaction and cost. The long-term best interests of all patients deserve nothing less.