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The NHS could make many cost savings on the wards without any
detremental effect on patient health. Unnescessary blood tests, x-rays and
innapropriate IV antibiotics all contribute. These phenomena might be the
result of junior doctors having to cover more unfamiliar wards out of
hours, increased patient pressure or fear of litigation.
Ward-based cost savings
The NHS could make many cost savings on the wards without any
detremental effect on patient health. Unnescessary blood tests, x-rays and
innapropriate IV antibiotics all contribute. These phenomena might be the
result of junior doctors having to cover more unfamiliar wards out of
hours, increased patient pressure or fear of litigation.
Competing interests:
None declared
Competing interests: No competing interests