Radiology Services Costs and Utilization Patterns Estimates in Southeastern Europe—A Retrospective Analysis from Serbia

ObjectiveAssessment of costs matrix and patterns of prescribing of radiology diagnostic, radiation therapy, nuclear medicine, and interventional radiology services. Another aim of the study was insight into drivers of inappropriate resource allocation.MethodsAn in-depth, retrospective bottom-up trend analysis of services consumption patterns and expenses was conducted from the perspective of third-party payer, for 205,576 inpatients of a large tertiary care university hospital in Serbia (1,293 beds) from 2007 to 2010.ResultsA total of 20,117 patients in 2007, 17,436 in 2008, 19,996 in 2009, and 17,579 in 2010 were radiologically examined, who consumed services valued at €2,713,573.99 in 2007, €4,529,387.36 in 2008, €5,388,585.15 in –2009, and €5,556,341.35 in 2010.ConclusionsThe macroeconomic crisis worldwide and consecutive health policy measures caused a drop in health care services diversity offered in some areas in the period 2008 to 2009. In spite of this, in total it increased during the time span observed. The total cost of services increased because of a rise in overall consumption and population morbidity. An average radiologically examined patient got one frontal chest graph, each 7th patient got an abdomen ultrasound examination, each 19th patient got a computed tomography endocranium check, and each 25th patient got a head nuclear magnetic resonance. Findings confirm irrational prescribing of diagnostic procedures and necessities of cutting costs. The consumption patterns noticed should provide an important momentum for policymakers to intervene and ensure higher adherence to guidelines by clinicians.