Use of Intensive Care Units for Patients With Low Severity of Illness

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Abstract
NUMEROUS studies performed during the last 2 decades suggest that a substantial proportion of medical care is inappropriate or of questionable value.1-6 These results, combined with the increasing penetration of managed care and desire by payers to decrease costs, have spawned aggressive efforts to manage use more effectively through review programs and case management. An important focus of most efforts has been the use of high-cost clinical services, such as coronary artery revascularization,7,8 and high-cost delivery settings, such as hospitals.9