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. 1979 Aug;69(8):814–816. doi: 10.2105/ajph.69.8.814

Self care for colds: a cost-effective alternative to upper respiratory infection management.

J Zapka, B W Averill
PMCID: PMC1619260  PMID: 453417

Abstract

A Cold Self-Care (CSC) Center was established in a prepaid ambulatory care setting serving 21,500 subscribers and their dependents. After CSC establishment, a decrease in visits to practitioners for common colds was demonstrated. The operating cost ratio of an outpatient visit as compared to a CSC visit was 14.7/1. Savings over a two-year period are estimated at over $46,000, representing an average estimated ratio of $.09 cost per dollar saved per member per year.

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Selected References

These references are in PubMed. This may not be the complete list of references from this article.

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