A model for estimating the cost-utility of clinical audit. The example of thrombolysis for suspected acute myocardial infarction.

Economic evaluation of quality assurance programs is often called for but rarely reported. A study was designed to estimate the cost-utility of audit of thrombolysis in four U.K. district general hospitals, using the quality-adjusted life year. Although the results obtained were imprecise, the model used could be applied in future evaluations.