Federal and nationwide intensive care units and healthcare costs: 1986-1992

The Department of Veterans Affairs has the only national ICU line item cost database available. For the Russell equation calculation to be accurate, inpatient only costs should be used. Until customized Health Care Financing Administration analyses become available, nationwide ICU costs are best determined by the Russell equation. Department of Veterans Affairs' ICUs have a consistent cost advantage over nationwide ICUs. Increases in United States healthcare delivery costs continue to exceed the increase in gross domestic product. Cost containment is already occurring in critical care.