Utilization Review (UR) involves which of the following activities?

• A. Evaluating the efficiency of new medications
• B. Reviewing the consumption of all resources in healthcare delivery
• C. Measuring employee job satisfaction
• D. Conducting financial audits of hospital spending

Answer: (B)

Utilization Review (UR) primarily focuses on assessing the consumption of healthcare resources to ensure that services provided to patients are necessary, appropriate, and efficient. This activity includes evaluating the use of medical services, procedures, and hospitalization to determine if they align with established guidelines and patient needs. By reviewing resource consumption, UR aims to identify areas for improvement, reduce unnecessary expenditures, and promote high-quality care within healthcare systems.

The other options relate to different functions within healthcare. Evaluating the efficiency of new medications pertains to pharmacoeconomics or clinical evaluation, which is distinct from UR. Measuring employee job satisfaction is more aligned with human resources and organizational behavior, while conducting financial audits of hospital spending focuses on financial oversight and management, not directly on patient care resources. Therefore, the core objective of UR is best captured by the assessment of resource utilization in healthcare delivery.