A new study by researchers from Brigham and Women’s Hospital demonstrates that early consultation by a dermatologist for patients with presumed cellulitis was a cost-effective intervention to prevent misdiagnoses and improve health-related outcomes. Their results are published in JAMA Dermatology.

“This is a big win-win for both the patients and for the hospitals,” said corresponding author Arash Mostaghimi, MD, MPA, MPH, Director of Inpatient Dermatology. “Our findings show that early intervention by dermatologists for patients with presumptive cellulitis, not only improves outcomes for the patients, but saves the hospitals on costs associated with unnecessary hospitalization and opens up beds in the emergency department.”