INFLUENCE OF PATIENT AGE AND CO-MORBIDITY ON OUTCOME OF A COLLABORATIVE CARE PATHWAY AFTER RADICAL PROSTATECTOMY AND CYSTOPROSTATECTOMY

Purpose: We determined whether standardized care patterns developed wi th a collaborative care methodology can be applied successfully across all patient groups with favorable effects on cost and quality. Materi als and Methods: We retrospectively analyzed financial and clinical ou tcomes in 109 radical retropubic prostatectomy and 47 radical cystecto my cases. Patients older than 70 years and/or with an American Society of Anesthesiology status of 3 or greater were compared to younger, he althier patients undergoing these procedures. Results: Standardized ca re patterns resulted in favorable financial and clinical outcomes in h igh and low risk patient groups. The only apparent difference was an i ncreased need for rehospitalization after discharge for patients under going radical prostatectomy with a high American Society of Anesthesio logy status. Conclusions: Standardized care patterns developed with a collaborative care methodology provide a high quality, cost-efficient approach to medical care. This methodology is applicable to all patien t groups and is highly compatible with current medical practice.