Five-Year Results of a Merger Between Vascular Surgeons and Interventional Radiologists in a University Medical Center
From the Eastern Vascular Society Five-year results of a merger between vascular surgeons and interventional radiologists in a university medical center Richard M. Green, MD, and David Waldman, MD, PhD, for the Center for Vascular Disease* Rochester, NY Objectives: We examined economic and practice trends after 5 years of a merger between vascular surgeons and interventional radiologists. Methods: In 1998 a merger between the Division of Vascular Surgery and the Section of Interventional Radiology at the University of Rochester established the Center for Vascular Disease (CVD). Business activity was administered from the offices of the vascular surgeons. Results: In 1998 the CVD included five vascular surgeons and three interventional radiologists, who generated a total income of $5,789,311 (34% from vascular surgeons, 24% from interventional radiologists, 42% from vascular laborato- ries). Vascular surgeon participation in endoluminal therapy was limited to repair of abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs). Income was derived from 1011 major vascular procedures, 10,510 catheter-based procedures in 3286 patients, and 1 inpatient and 3 outpatient vascular laboratory tests. In 2002 there were six vascular surgeons (five, full-time equivalent) and four interventional radiologists, and total income was $6,550,463 despite significant reductions in unit value reimbursement over the 5 years, a 4% reduction in the number of major vascular procedures, and a 13% reduction in income from vascular laboratories. In 2002 the number of endoluminal procedures increased to 16,026 in 7131 patients, and contributions to CVD income increased from 24% in 1998 to 31% in 2002. Three of the six vascular surgeons performed endoluminal procedures in 634 patients in 2002, compared with none in 1998.
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