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Abstract
The main drivers of critical care medicine (CCM) costs are the numbers and use of
intensive care unit (ICU) beds. The Russell equation, an indirect costing methodology,
is most commonly used to estimate national CCM costs. Calculating national CCM costs
in a standardized manner remains challenging because there is no universal approach
to defining the types of hospitals, ICU beds, days, and billing codes to be included
in the overall cost. Although numerous CCM cost-containment strategies have been proposed
or implemented, CCM cost reduction remains elusive, and measuring cost remains challenging,given
the complexities involved in assessing costs.