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Factors Associated with Non-Reimbursable Activity on an Inpatient Pediatric Consultation–Liaison Service

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Abstract

The aim of this study was to identify factors contributing to clinician time spent in non-reimbursable activity on an inpatient pediatric consultation–liaison (C–L) service. A retrospective study was conducted using inpatient C–L service data on 1,246 consecutive referrals. For this patient population, the strongest predictor of level of non-reimbursable clinical activity was illness chronicity and the number of contacts with C–L service clinicians during their hospital stay. Patients with acute life-threatening illnesses required the highest mean amount of non-reimbursable service activity. On average, 28 % of total clinician time in completing a hospital consultation was spent in non-reimbursable activity. Effective C–L services require a proportion of time spent in non-reimbursable clinical activity, such as liaison and coordinating care with other providers. Identifying referral and systemic factors contributing to non-reimbursable activity can provide insight into budgeting/negotiating for institutional support for essential clinical and non-clinical functions in providing competent quality patient care.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Behavioral Medicine and Clinical Psychology, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, MLC 3015, 3333 Burnet Ave., Cincinnati, OH, 45229, USA

    Melanie L. Bierenbaum

  2. Spalding University, Louisville, KY, USA

    Steven Katsikas

  3. Auburn University, Auburn, AL, USA

    Allen Furr

  4. University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, KY, USA

    Bryan D. Carter

Authors
  1. Melanie L. Bierenbaum
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  2. Steven Katsikas
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  3. Allen Furr
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  4. Bryan D. Carter
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Correspondence to Melanie L. Bierenbaum.

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Bierenbaum, M.L., Katsikas, S., Furr, A. et al. Factors Associated with Non-Reimbursable Activity on an Inpatient Pediatric Consultation–Liaison Service. J Clin Psychol Med Settings 20, 464–472 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10880-013-9371-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10880-013-9371-2

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