"The patients who had the timely consultations actually weren’t admitted to the hospital as often," Dr. Nevadunsky noted. In fact, they were half as likely to be admitted in the last 14 days (35% vs. 71%, P = .001).
"Shortcomings [of the study] include small numbers and the retrospective collection of data. Also, our study did not account for outpatient costs, including those assumed by families, or for those costs incurred by loss of time out of work by families to care for the patient," acknowledged Dr. Nevadunsky, who disclosed no relevant conflicts of interest.