کد مقاله | کد نشریه | سال انتشار | مقاله انگلیسی | نسخه تمام متن |
---|---|---|---|---|
4280897 | 1611568 | 2009 | 6 صفحه PDF | دانلود رایگان |

BackgroundEfforts to improve patient safety have attempted to incorporate aviation industry safety standards. We sought to evaluate the cost and workforce implications of applying aviation duty-hour restrictions to the entire practicing physician workforce.MethodsThe work hours and personnel deficit for United States residents and practicing physicians that would be created by the adoption of aviation standards were calculated.ResultsApplication of aviation standards to the resident workforce creates an estimated annual cost of $6.5 billion, requiring a 174% increase in the number of residents to meet the deficit. Its application to practicing physicians creates an additional annual cost of $80.4 billion, requiring a 71% increase in the physician workforce. Adding in the aviation industry's mandatory retirement age (65 years) increases annual costs by $10.5 billion. The cost per life-year saved would be $1,035,227.ConclusionsApplication of aviation duty-hour restrictions to the United States health care system would be prohibitively costly. Alternate approaches for improving patient safety are warranted.
Journal: The American Journal of Surgery - Volume 197, Issue 6, June 2009, Pages 820–825