Publications [#301848] of Peter A Ubel

Journal Articles

1. Ubel, PA; Arnold, RM, The unbearable rightness of bedside rationing. Physician duties in a climate of cost containment., Archives of internal medicine, vol. 155 no. 17 (September, 1995), pp. 1837-1842, ISSN 0003-9926 [7677549], [doi]
   (last updated on 2026/01/17)

   Abstract:
   A local internist is in the process of ordering an intravenous pyelogram for a patient she suspects of having kidney problems, when a medical student shadowing her in clinic interrupts. The student wants to know why the physician is not ordering a low-osmolality contrast agent for the patient, having read that they are less likely to cause serious side effects than high-osmolality contrast agents. The physician realizes that the medical student is correct, but rejects the suggestion, telling the student that "low-osmolality contrast agents are the standard of care for low-risk patients."