DOES SURGICAL SUBSPECIALIZATION IN PEDIATRICS PROVIDE HIGH-QUALITY, COST-EFFECTIVE PATIENT-CARE

Objective. To determine if pediatric surgical subspecialization provid es cost-effective, high-quality pediatric patient care. Methods. Urete roneocystostomy inpatients over 4 years were studied. Hospital charges and complications were compared between general urologists and fellow ship-trained pediatric urologists. Results. Hospital charges were sign ificantly less ($1095) for patients under the care of a pediatric urol ogist. Complication rates were also lower. Conclusions. Pediatric urol ogy subspecialization offers high-quality, cost-effective pediatric pa tient care.