Out-of-pocket medical expenses compared across five years for patients with one of five common cancers in Australia.

BACKGROUND: Patient medical out-of-pocket expenses are thought to be rising worldwide yet data describing trends over time is scant. We evaluated trends of out-of-pocket expenses for patients in Australia with one of five major cancers in the first-year after diagnosis. METHODS: Participants from the QSKIN Sun and Health prospective cohort Study with a histologically confirmed breast, colorectal, lung, melanoma, or prostate cancer diagnosed between 2011 and 2015 were included (n = 1965). Medicare claims data on out-of-pocket expenses were analysed using a two-part model adjusted for year of diagnosis, health insurance status, age and education level. Fisher price and quantity indexes were also calculated to assess prices and volumes separately. RESULTS: On average, patients with cancer diagnosed in 2015 spent 70% more out-of-pocket on direct medical expenses than those diagnosed in 2011. Out-of-pocket expenses increased significantly for patients with breast cancer (mean AU$2513 in 2011 to AU$6802 in 2015). Out-of-pocket expenses were higher overall for individuals with private health insurance. For prostate cancer, expenses increased for those without private health insurance over time (mean AU$1586 in 2011 to AU$4748 in 2014) and remained stable for those with private health insurance (AU$4397 in 2011 to AU$5623 in 2015). There were progressive increases in prices and quantities of medical services for patients with melanoma, breast and lung cancer. For all cancers, prices increased for medicines and doctor attendances but fluctuated for other medical services. CONCLUSION: Out-of-pocket expenses for patients with cancer have increased substantially over time. Such increases were more pronounced for women with breast cancer and those without private health insurance. Increased out-of-pocket expenses arose from both higher prices and higher volumes of health services but differ by cancer type. Further efforts to monitor patient out-of-pocket costs and prevent health inequities are required.

Patient Characteristics and Costs Associated With COVID-19-Related Medical Care Among Medicare Fee-for-Service Beneficiaries.

BACKGROUND: New cases of COVID-19 continue to occur daily in the United States, and the need for medical treatments continues to grow. Knowledge of the direct medical costs of COVID-19 treatments is limited. OBJECTIVE: To examine the characteristics of older adults with COVID-19 and their costs for COVID-19-related medical care. DESIGN: Retrospective observational study. SETTING: Medical claims for Medicare fee-for-service (FFS) beneficiaries. PATIENTS: Medicare FFS beneficiaries aged 65 years or older who had a COVID-19-related medical encounter during April through December 2020. MEASUREMENTS: Patient characteristics and direct medical costs of COVID-19-related hospitalizations and outpatient visits. RESULTS: Among 28.1 million Medicare FFS beneficiaries, 1 181 127 (4.2%) sought COVID-19-related medical care. Among these patients, 23.0% had an inpatient stay and 4.2% died during hospitalization. The majority of the patients were female (57.0%), non-Hispanic White (79.6%), and residents of an urban county (77.2%). Medicare FFS costs for COVID-19-related medical care were $6.3 billion; 92.6% of costs were for hospitalizations. The mean hospitalization cost was $21 752, and the mean length of stay was 9.2 days; hospitalization cost and length of stay were higher if the patient needed a ventilator ($49 441 and 17.1 days) or died ($32 015 and 11.3 days). The mean cost per outpatient visit was $164. Patients aged 75 years or older were more likely to be hospitalized, but their hospitalizations were associated with lower costs than for younger patients. Male sex and non-White race/ethnicity were associated with higher probability of being hospitalized and higher medical costs. LIMITATION: Results are based on Medicare FFS patients. CONCLUSION: The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in substantial disease and economic burden among older Americans, particularly those of non-White race/ethnicity. PRIMARY FUNDING SOURCE: None.

Longitudinal Trends in the Direct Costs and Health Care Utilization Ascribable to Inflammatory Bowel Disease in the Biologic Era: Results From a Canadian Population-Based Analysis.

OBJECTIVES: The prevalence of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is increasing. The total direct costs of IBD have not been assessed on a population-wide level in the era of biologic therapy. DESIGN: We identified all persons with IBD in Manitoba between 2005 and 2015, with each matched to 10 controls on age, sex, and area of residence. We enumerated all hospitalizations, outpatient visits and prescription medications including biologics, and their associated direct costs. Total and per capita annual IBD-attributable costs and health care utilization (HCU) were determined by taking the difference between the costs/HCU accrued by an IBD case and their controls. Generalized linear modeling was used to evaluate trends in direct costs and Poisson regression for trends in HCU. RESULTS: The number of people with IBD in Manitoba increased from 6,323 to 7,603 between 2005 and 2015. The total per capita annual costs attributable to IBD rose from $3,354 in 2005 to $7,801 in 2015, primarily driven by an increase in per capita annual anti-tumor necrosis factor costs, which rose from $181 in 2005 to $5,270 in 2015. There was a significant decline in inpatient costs for CD ($99 ± 25/yr. P < 0.0001), but not for ulcerative colitis ($8 increase ±$18/yr, P = 0.63). DISCUSSION: The direct health care costs attributable to IBD have more than doubled over the 10 years between 2005 and 2015, driven mostly by increasing expenditures on biological medications. IBD-attributable hospitalization costs have declined modestly over time for persons with CD, although no change was seen for patients with ulcerative colitis.

Understanding Costs of Care in the Operating Room.

Importance: Increasing value requires improving quality or decreasing costs. In surgery, estimates for the cost of 1 minute of operating room (OR) time vary widely. No benchmark exists for the cost of OR time, nor has there been a comprehensive assessment of what contributes to OR cost. Objectives: To calculate the cost of 1 minute of OR time, assess cost by setting and facility characteristics, and ascertain the proportion of costs that are direct and indirect. Design, Setting, and Participants: This cross-sectional and longitudinal analysis examined annual financial disclosure documents from all comparable short-term general and specialty care hospitals in California from fiscal year (FY) 2005 to FY2014 (N = 3044; FY2014, n = 302). The analysis focused on 2 revenue centers: (1) surgery and recovery and (2) ambulatory surgery. Main Outcomes and Measures: Mean cost of 1 minute of OR time, stratified by setting (inpatient vs ambulatory), teaching status, and hospital ownership. The proportion of cost attributable to indirect and direct expenses was identified; direct expenses were further divided into salary, benefits, supplies, and other direct expenses. Results: In FY2014, a total of 175 of 302 facilities (57.9%) were not for profit, 78 (25.8%) were for profit, and 49 (16.2%) were government owned. Thirty facilities (9.9%) were teaching hospitals. The mean (SD) cost for 1 minute of OR time across California hospitals was $37.45 ($16.04) in the inpatient setting and $36.14 ($19.53) in the ambulatory setting (P = .65). There were no differences in mean expenditures when stratifying by ownership or teaching status except that teaching hospitals had lower mean (SD) expenditures than nonteaching hospitals in the inpatient setting ($29.88 [$9.06] vs $38.29 [$16.43]; P = .006). Direct expenses accounted for 54.6% of total expenses ($20.40 of $37.37) in the inpatient setting and 59.1% of total expenses ($20.90 of $35.39) in the ambulatory setting. Wages and benefits accounted for approximately two-thirds of direct expenses (inpatient, $14.00 of $20.40; ambulatory, $14.35 of $20.90), with nonbillable supplies accounting for less than 10% of total expenses (inpatient, $2.55 of $37.37; ambulatory, $3.33 of $35.39). From FY2005 to FY2014, expenses in the OR have increased faster than the consumer price index and medical consumer price index. Teaching hospitals had slower growth in costs than nonteaching hospitals. Over time, the proportion of expenses dedicated to indirect costs has increased, while the proportion attributable to salary and supplies has decreased. Conclusions and Relevance: The mean cost of OR time is $36 to $37 per minute, using financial data from California's short-term general and specialty hospitals in FY2014. These statewide data provide a generalizable benchmark for the value of OR time. Furthermore, understanding the composition of costs will allow those interested in value improvement to identify high-yield targets.

Impacto económico de la desnutrición relacionada con la enfermedad en el hospital San Pedro de Alcántara. Estimación del ahorro asociado a una atención nutricional especializada de calidad / Financial impact of disease-related malnutrition at the San Pedro de Alcántara hospital. Estimated cost savings associated to a specialized nutritional survey

Introducción y objetivos: La DRE es una entidad con alta prevalencia en nuestro medio hospitalario y conlleva un aumento de los costes sanitarios. Siguiendo la metodología del estudio PREDyCES se estimó el coste asociado a DRE. El ahorro potencial asociado al tratamiento especializado de la DRE se calculó extrapolando los datos de la estrategia SNAQ. Resultados: La mediana del coste por proceso en pacientes con DRE ascendió a 9.679,85 euros/proceso, lo que supuso un coste final de 28.700.775,2 euros. Cada paciente con DRE consumió 2,63 veces más recursos económicos que los pacientes sin DRE. El ahorro potencial asociado al tratamiento especializado de la DRE se estimó en 1.682.317,28 euros (5,86% del gasto asociado a la DRE). Conclusiones: Los pacientes con DRE presentaron un consumo de recursos muy superior al de pacientes normonutridos. Un tratamiento nutricional especializado supondría un ahorro potencial significativo (AU)

Introduction and objectives: DRM is a highly prevalent condition in Spanish hospitals and is associated to increased healthcare costs. Costs associated to DRM were calculated using the methods of the PREDyCES study. The potential savings derived from specialized nutritional treatment were calculated by extrapolating the results of the SNAQ strategy. Results: Median cost per procedure in patients with DRM was euros9,679.85, with a final cost of euros28,700,775.2. The cost of each patient with DRM was 2.63 times higher than the cost of patients with no DRM. The potential cost saving associated to specialized nutritional treatment was estimated at euros1,682,317.28 (5.86% of total cost associated to DRM). Conclusions: Patients with DRM showed a higher consumption of financial resources as compared to well-nourished patients. Specialized nutritional treatment is a potential cost-saving procedure (AU)

Impacto presupuestario de la infusión subcutánea continua de insulina en el tratamiento de pacientes con diabetes tipo 1 que presentan episodios de hipoglucemia grave recurrente en España / Budget impact of continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion therapy in patients with type 1 diabetes who experience severe recurrent hypoglycemic episodes in Spain

Objetivo: Las hipoglucemias suponen una de las complicaciones más habituales para alcanzar un buen control metabólico y figuran entre las indicaciones comúnmente aceptadas por diferentes sociedades para iniciar tratamiento con infusión subcutánea continua de insulina (ISCI). La utilización de ISCI en España es aún residual en comparación con países de nuestro entorno, siendo el coste de adquisición una de las principales motivaciones. Este trabajo estima el impacto presupuestario asociado a ISCI frente a múltiples dosis de insulina en pacientes con diabetes mellitus tipo 1 e hipoglucemias graves recurrentes desde la perspectiva del Sistema Nacional de Salud. Métodos: El impacto presupuestario está basado en los resultados de un estudio observacional que evaluó la efectividad de ISCI en el Hospital Clínic i Universitari de Barcelona, donde el promedio anual de hipoglucemias graves en los dos años anteriores al inicio con ISCI fue 1,33 y 0,08 en los últimos dos años de seguimiento (p=0,003). Se contemplaron los costes asociados al tratamiento y al manejo de hipoglucemias graves durante cuatro años. Los costes unitarios (euros, 2016) fueron obtenidos de bases de datos nacionales. Resultados: El coste del tratamiento con ISCI resultó en un incremento de 9.509euros/paciente frente a múltiples dosis de insulina (11.902euros-2.393euros). El coste asociado a las hipoglucemias graves disminuyó 19.330euros/paciente en aquellos tratados con ISCI (1.371euros-20.701euros). Los resultados indican un ahorro medio de 9.821euros/paciente para el SNS en los cuatro años de estudio. Conclusión: El incremento asociado al coste del tratamiento podría quedar totalmente compensado gracias a los episodios de hipoglucemia grave evitados (AU)

Objective: Hypoglycemia is one of the most common complications to achieve a good metabolic control, and has been listed by several scientific associations as a common indication to start treatment with continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion (CSII). Use of CSII is still residual in Spain as compared to neighbouring countries, and cost of acquisition cost is one of the main reasons. This study estimates the budget impact of treatment with CSII, as compared to multiple daily insulin injections, of patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus who experience recurrent severe hypoglycemia episodes from the National Healthcare System perspective. Methods: Budget impact was based on a retrospective, observational study evaluating the efficacy of CSII in patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus conducted at Hospital Clínic i Universitari in Barcelona, where one of the main indications for switching to CSII were recurrent severe hypoglycemia episodes. The mean number of annual episodes was 1.33 in the two years prior to CSII start and 0.08 in the last two years of follow up (p=0.003). Costs of treatment and major hypoglycemic events over a four-year period were considered. Costs were taken from different Spanish data sources and expressed in euros of 2016. Results: Treatment with CSII increased costs by euros9,509 per patient as compared to multiple daily insulin injections (euros11,902-euros2,393). Cost associated to severe hypoglycemic events decreased by euros19,330 per patient treated with CSIII (euros1,371-euros20,701). Results suggest mean total savings of euros9,821 per patient during the four-year study period. Conclusion: The higher costs associated to CSII therapy may be totally offset by the severe hypoglycemic events prevented (AU)

Los estudios de costes, herramienta imprescindible en la nutrición clínica del siglo XXI / Cost-effectiveness studies, a necessary tool in clinical nutrition in the XXI century

No disponible

Estimación del coste de la nutrición parenteral domiciliaria en España / Cost analysis of home parenteral nutrition in Spain

Introducción: la nutrición parenteral domiciliaria (NPD) mejora la calidad de vida de los pacientes permitiéndoles recibir nutrición en su domicilio y facilitando su integración social y laboral. Objetivo: analizar el coste de la NPD en España. Métodos: se realizó una revisión bibliográfica de los Registros de NPD en España (años 2007-2014), elaborados por el Grupo NADYA-SENPE. Se analizó la evolución de: pacientes que requerían NPD, episodios/paciente por los que se administró NPD, duración media de los episodios, vías de acceso y tasa de complicaciones. Se estimó el consumo y coste de la NPD. Los pacientes fueron agrupados según patología: benigna o maligna. Los costes directos (Euros, 2015) incluidos fueron: bolsas administradas, vías de acceso y complicaciones. Resultados: el número de pacientes que recibió NPD aumentó a lo largo de los años (2007: 133 pacientes; 2014: 220 pacientes). El número medio de episodios/paciente osciló entre 1-2 episodios/año y su duración media disminuyó (2007: 323 días; 2014: 202,8 días). Las vías de acceso más utilizadas fueron los catéteres tunelizados y las complicaciones sépticas fueron las más comunes. El coste directo anual medio por paciente se estimó en 8.393,30 Euros y 9.261,60 Euros para patología benigna y maligna, respectivamente. Considerando que, en 2014, 220 pacientes requirieron NPD, el coste anual fue 1.846.524,96 Euros (1.389.910,55 Euros debidos a la fórmula de NPD) y 2.037.551,90 Euros (1.580.937,50 Euros debidos a la fórmula de NPD) para patología benigna y maligna respectivamente. Conclusiones: estos resultados sirven de base para futuros análisis económicos de la NPD y para establecer estrategias de priorización eficiente de recursos disponibles (AU)

Introduction: Home parenteral nutrition (HPN) improves quality of life, allowing patients to receive nutrition at home and providing a social and labor integration to these patients. Objective: To assess the direct costs of HPN in adult population in Spain. Methods: A literature review of the records of HPN in Spain, carry out by NADYA-SENPE Group (years 2007-2014), was performed. The analysis included the evolution of: patients requiring HPN, number of episodes/patient, mean duration of episodes, description of delivery routes and complications rate. HPN consumption and cost were estimated. Patients were grouped according to their pathological group: benign and malignant. Direct costs (Euros , 2015) included were: parenteral nutrition bags, delivery sets and costs due to complications. Results: The number of patients who receive HPN has increased over years (2007: 133 patients; 2014: 220 patients). The average number of episodes per patient ranged from 1-2 episodes per year. The average duration of those episodes decreased (2007: 323 days; 2014: 202.8 days). Tunneled catheters were the most used and septic complications were the most common. The average annual cost per patient was estimated at Euros 8,393.30 and Euros 9,261.60 for benign and malign disease respectively. Considering that 220 patients required HPN in 2014, an annual cost of Euros 1,846.524.96 (Euros 1,389,910.55 directly due to HPN) and Euros 2,037,551.90 (Euros 1,580,937.50 directly due to HPN) was estimated for patients with benign and malignant pathologies respectively. Conclusions: These results can be used to develop future economic evaluations on HPN and to establish effi cient prioritization strategies to allocate available resources (AU)

Intervención geriátrica en el anciano ingresado por fractura de cadera en el Hospital Universitario de Guadalajara: repercusión clínica, asistencial y económica / Geriatric intervention in elderly hip fracture patients admitted to University Hospital of Guadalajara: clincal, healthcare and economical repercussions

Objetivo. Evaluar los resultados asistenciales y la repercusión económica de la intervención geriátrica en pacientes mayores de 75 años con fractura de cadera en fase aguda. Material y métodos. Estudio retrospectivo de los pacientes ingresados por fractura de cadera en el Hospital Universitario de Guadalajara (HUGU). Se evaluaron parámetros asistenciales del total de los pacientes ingresados por fractura de cadera en el HUGU entre los años 2002 y 2013 (n=2.942), tales como número anual de casos, la estancia preoperatoria, la estancia global y la mortalidad. Evaluación del efecto de la intervención geriátrica protocolizada iniciada en 2006 mediante la comparación de datos entre las etapas previa y posterior a su puesta en marcha. Resultados. La intervención geriátrica ha supuesto una reducción progresiva de estancia media y la mortalidad, aunque con una tendencia aumentar la estancia prequirúrgica. Comparando la actividad del 2013 con la del 2006, la estancia media se redujo del 18,5 al 11,2 días (-39,2%) y la mortalidad desde el 8,9 hasta el 6,8% (-23%). Por el contrario, la estancia preoperatoria media se mantuvo en 2,7 días de media en los años postintervención, frente a 2,4 en los años previos. A pesar del incremento anual del precio diario de la hospitalización por factura de cadera, el descenso de la estancia implica una reducción del coste del proceso que supera los 900.000 euros anuales. Conclusiones. La intervención geriátrica contribuye a la reducción observada de la mortalidad y la estancia hospitalaria por fractura de cadera, disminuyendo el coste de la hospitalización (AU)

Objective. To evaluate the healthcare outcomes and economic impact of geriatric intervention in patients over 75 years old with hip fracture in acute phase. Material and methods. Retrospective study of patients admitted to the University Hospital of Guadalajara (HUGU) due to hip fracture. An analysis was made of the number of cases per year, preoperative period, hospital stay, and mortality of all the patients over 75 years admitted to the HUGU due to hip fracture between 2002 and 2013. Results. A total of 2942 patients were included. Comparing the activity of 2013 to that of 2006, the mean hospital stay fell from 18.5 to 11.2 days (-39.2%), and mortality from 8.9% to 6.8% (-23%). In contrast, the mean preoperative stay remained at a mean of 2.7 days versus 2.4 in previous years in the early post-intervention period. Hospital stay decreased, despite a progressive annual increase in the daily cost of hospitalisation due to hip fracture surgery, the reduced stay led to a reduction of the total cost by more than 900,000 euros each year. Geriatric intervention has gradually reduced mean hospital stay and mortality, although with a tendency to increase mean preoperative stay. Conclusions. Geriatric intervention in patients with hip fracture reduces mortality and length of hospital stay, and decreasing costs (AU)

Repercusiones clínicas y económicas de la desnutrición relacionada con la enfermedad en un servicio de Medicina Interna: estudio de cohortes prospectivas / Clinical and financial implications of disease-related malnutrition in a department of Internal Medicine: prospective cohort study

Introducción. La desnutrición relacionada con la enfermedad es un reto en nuestros hospitales. Nuestro objetivo fue valorar la factibilidad e importancia de establecer una estrategia de cribado nutricional en nuestro medio. Pacientes y métodos. Estudio de cohortes prospectivo en un servicio de Medicina Interna durante 3 meses. El cribado nutricional se realizó al ingreso y se repitió semanalmente mediante la herramienta Malnutrition Universal Screening Tool. Se analizaron los datos clínicos, la estancia media y los gastos. Resultados. Se incluyeron 330 pacientes (53,9% varones), con una edad media de 77,8 años; la estancia mediana fue de 7 días, y el índice de comorbilidad de Charlson de 5,4. La herramienta Malnutrition Universal Screening Tool detectó al ingreso un 26,9% de pacientes con riesgo de desnutrición. Un 18% de pacientes con buen estado nutricional desarrollaron desnutrición durante la hospitalización. Los pacientes con desnutrición grave inicial presentaron una estancia mediana mayor. Los pacientes cuya situación nutricional empeoró durante el ingreso tuvieron una estancia significativamente mayor (2,5 días) con respecto a los que no empeoró. Además, ocasionaron un sobrecoste de 767 € por ingreso (35% superior), lo que implica un exceso de gastos relacionados con la desnutrición de 646.419,93 € anuales en el servicio estudiado. La adecuada codificación implicó un incremento en el peso medio de 2,11 a 2,81, lo que supondría 82.568,52€, que no se habrían cuantificado previamente. Conclusión. La alta prevalencia y repercusiones clínicas y económicas de la desnutrición relacionada con la enfermedad en los pacientes ingresados en Medicina Interna hacen recomendable establecer protocolos para su detección precoz y tratamiento (AU)

Background. Disease-related malnutrition is a challenge for Spanish hospitals. Our objective was to assess the feasibility and importance of establishing a nutritional screening strategy in our community. Patients and methods. A prospective cohort study was conducted in a department of internal medicine for 3 months. The nutritional screening was conducted at admission and was repeated weekly using the Malnutrition Universal Screening Tool. We analysed the clinical data, mean stay and expenses. Results. The study included 330 patients (53.9% men), with a mean age of 77.8 years. The mean stay was 7 days, and the Charlson comorbidity index was 5.4. At admission, the Malnutrition Universal Screening Tool detected 26.9% of patients with a risk of malnutrition. Eighteen percent of the patients with a good nutritional state developed malnutrition during the hospitalisation. The patients with initially severe malnutrition had a longer mean stay. The patients whose nutritional state worsened during the hospitalisation had a significantly longer stay (2.5 days) compared with those whose state did not worsen. These cases of malnutrition caused a cost overrun of Euros 767 per hospitalisation (35% greater), which entailed a malnutrition-related excess expenditure of €646,419.93 annually in the studied department. The appropriate coding resulted in an increase in mean weight from 2.11 to 2.81, which represented €82,568.52 and has not been previously quantified. Conclusion. The high prevalence and clinical and financial implications of Disease-related malnutrition in patients hospitalised in internal medicine warrants establishing protocols for its early detection and treatment (AU)

Costes de la tuberculosis en España: factores relacionados / Tuberculosis costs in Spain and related factors

Objetivo. Analizar los costes directos e indirectos derivados del diagnóstico y tratamiento de la tuberculosis (TB) y sus factores asociados. Pacientes y métodos. Estudio prospectivo de pacientes diagnosticados de TB entre septiembre de 2014 y septiembre de 2015. Se calcularon los costes directos (estancias hospitalarias, consultas, estudios diagnósticos y tratamiento), e indirectos (absentismo laboral y pérdida de productividad, estudio de contactos y medidas rehabilitadoras). Los costes se compararon atendiendo a las variables: edad, sexo, país de origen, ingreso hospitalario, pruebas diagnósticas, tratamiento, resistencia farmacológica, tratamiento directamente observado (TDO) y días de baja laboral. Se compararon proporciones mediante Chi cuadrado y las variables significativas se incluyeron en un modelo de regresión logística calculándose las odds ratio (OR) y sus correspondientes intervalos de confianza del 95% (IC). Resultados. Fueron incluidos 319 pacientes con una edad media de 56,72 ± 20,79 €. El coste medio fue de 10.262,62 ± 14.961,66 €, y aumentaba significativamente en relación con el ingreso hospitalario, el uso de la PCR, la realización de baciloscopia y cultivo, antibiograma, tomografía axial computarizada de tórax, biopsia pleural, tratamiento de más de 9 meses, TDO y baja laboral. En el análisis multivariante mantenían asociación independiente: ingreso hospitalario (OR = 96,8; IC: 29-472,3), antibiograma (OR = 4,34; IC: 1,71-12,1), tomografía axial computarizada de tórax (OR = 2,25; IC: 1,08-4,77), TDO (OR = 20,76; IC: 4,11-148) y baja laboral (OR = 26,9; IC: 8,51-122). Conclusión. La Tuberculosis acarrea un gasto sanitario significativo. Medidas dirigidas a mejorar el control de la enfermedad y disminuir los ingresos hospitalarios serían importantes para reducirlo

Objective. To analyze the direct and indirect costs of diagnosis and management of tuberculosis (TB) and associated factors. Patients and methods. Prospective study of patients diagnosed with TB between September 2014 and September 2015. We calculated direct (hospital stays, visits, diagnostic tests, and treatment) and indirect (sick leave and loss of productivity, contact tracing, and rehabilitation) costs. The following cost-related variables were compared: age, gender, country of origin, hospital stays, diagnostic testing, sensitivity testing, treatment, resistance, directed observed therapy (DOT), and days of sick leave. Proportions were compared using the chi-squared test and significant variables were included in a logistic regression analysis to calculate odds ratio (OR) and corresponding 95% confidence intervals. Results. 319 patients were included with a mean age of 56.72 ± 20.79 years. The average cost was €10,262.62 ± 14,961.66, which increased significantly when associated with hospital admission, polymerase chain reaction, sputum smears and cultures, sensitvity testing, chest computed tomography, pleural biopsy, drug treatment longer than nine months, DOT and sick leave. In the multivariate analysis, hospitalization (OR = 96.8; CI 29-472), sensitivity testing (OR = 4.34; CI 1.71-12.1), chest CT (OR = 2.25; CI 1.08-4.77), DOT (OR = 20.76; CI 4.11-148) and sick leave (OR = 26,9; CI 8,51-122) showed an independent association with cost. Conclusion. Tuberculosis gives rise to significant health spending. In order to reduce these costs, more control of transmission, and fewer hospital admissions would be required

Diseño de un sistema de costos para un centro de cirugía ambulatoria

La aparición de numerosos centros de cirugía ambulatoria en los últimos tiempos, ha generado en este tipo de Instituciones, la necesidad de disponer de mayor información para la toma de decisiones. El estudio de los costos, por múltiples razones, es una de las herramientas más útil y necesaria para la correcta gestión en las Instituciones de salud. Este trabajo tiene como principal objetivo, diseñar y aplicar un sistema de costo en el quirófano de un centro de cirugía ambulatoria y utilizarlo como una herramienta de gestión interna. El desarrollo del sistema de costo, se logró realizando un análisis minucioso de toda la estructura económica de la Institución, tomando como muestra las seis cirugías que más se practican en el centro médico estudiado y haciendo una detallada clasificación de los gastos en los que se incurre al efectuar cada una de ellas, estableciendo para cada tipo de gasto el sistema de prorrateo más adecuado. Luego esta información se utilizó para comparar el monto que cobra la Institución por cada práctica, con el sacrificio económico que le representa efectuarla, y se pudo conocer así, el margen de utilidad de cada cirugía. También se analizó la capacidad instalada y, mediante la elaboración de presupuestos proyectados, se evaluaron los resultados de no trabajar a máxima capacidad, ya que esta situación hace que el costo por unidad de prestación sea mayor y termine absorbiéndolo la Institución. La correcta gestión de los recursos, utilizando todas estas herramientas, hará mejorar los resultados con el fin último de lograr el equilibrio exacto entre minimización de costos y maximización de la calidad en la atención

SUMMARY: In recent times, the emergence of numerous outpatient surgical centers has generated the need for more decision-making information in these institutions. The study of costs, for multiple reasons, is one of the most useful and necessary tools for proper management in health care institutions. The main objective of this work is to design and to implement a cost system in the outpatient surgical center operating room and to use it as an internal management tool. The cost system development was achieved by performing a careful assessment of the whole economic structure of the institution, taking as example the six most widely practiced surgeries in the studied medical center and making a detailed classification of expenses incurred upon each of them, establishing the most appropriate apportionment system for each type of expenditure. Then, this information was used to compare the amount charged by the institution for each practice, with the economic sacrifice it implies. Thus, the profit margin of each surgery was known. The installed capacity was also analyzed; and by drawing up projected budgets, the results of not working at full capacity were assessed, since this situation causes an increase in the cost per unit of benefit and the institution ends up absorbing it. By using all these tools, proper resource management will improve results with the ultimate aim of striking the right balance between minimizing costs and maximizing the quality of care

Análisis de la relación entre los beneficios y los costes percibidos y la satisfacción del residente con la celebración de un evento deportivo: efecto mediador del valor percibido / Analysis of the relationship between benefits and perceived costs and resident satisfaction with holding a sporting event: mediating effect of perceived value

El objetivo de este estudio fue comprobar las relaciones entre los beneficios y los costes percibidos por los residentes con el valor percibido y la satisfacción general sobre la celebración de la Barcelona World Race, así como contrastar el efecto mediador del valor percibido entre los beneficios y los costes y la satisfacción. La muestra recogida para el estudio fue de 297 residentes. El instrumento de medida lo componen 27 ítems que recogen los posibles beneficios y costes asociados al evento, el valor percibido y la satisfacción con la celebración del evento. Se observó una relación positiva entre los beneficios socioeconómicos y socioculturales y el valor percibido de la BWR y una relación negativa entre los costes percibidos y el valor percibido, mientras que éste está relacionado positivamente con la satisfacción general. Se comprobó el efecto mediador del valor percibido entre los beneficios socioculturales percibidos y la satisfacción general con la acogida del evento, mientras que es de carácter parcial entre los costes percibidos y la satisfacción

The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between the perceived benefits and costs by residents with the perceived value and overall satisfaction with holding the Barcelona World Race (BWR) event, as well as to contrast the mediating effect of perceived value between the benefits and costs and satisfaction. The research study includes a sample of 297 residents. The measuring instrument comprises 27 items that reflect the potential benefits and costs associated with the event, the perceived value and satisfaction with the event. A positive relationship between socioeconomic and sociocultural benefits and perceived value of BWR and a negative relationship between perceived costs and perceived value was observed, whereas this one is related positively with the overall satisfaction. The mediating effect of the perceived value was verified between the sociocultural perceived benefits and the general satisfaction with the host of the event, meanwhile it has a partial role between the perceived costs and the satisfaction

Morbilidad y costes sanitarios: hacia un benchmarking? / Morbidity and healthcare costs: towards a benchmarking?

No disponible

Can telemonitoring reduce hospitalization and cost of care? A health plan's experience in managing patients with heart failure.

Telemonitoring provides a potentially useful tool for disease and case management of those patients who are likely to benefit from frequent and regular monitoring by health care providers. Since 2008, Geisinger Health Plan (GHP) has implemented a telemonitoring program that specifically targets those members with heart failure. This study assesses the impact of this telemonitoring program by examining claims data of those GHP Medicare Advantage plan members who were enrolled in the program, measuring its impact in terms of all-cause hospital admission rates, readmission rates, and total cost of care. The results indicate significant reductions in probability of all-cause admission (odds ratio [OR] 0.77; P<0.01), 30-day and 90-day readmission (OR 0.56, 0.62; P<0.05), and cost of care (11.3%; P<0.05). The estimated return on investment was 3.3. These findings imply that telemonitoring can be an effective add-on tool for managing elderly patients with heart failure.

Direct healthcare costs and resource consumption after acute coronary syndrome: a real-life analysis of an Italian subpopulation.

BACKGROUND: Acute coronary syndrome (ACS) is the most common cause of morbidity and mortality in Italy and worldwide. Aim of this study was to evaluate the average annual direct healthcare costs for the treatment of patients with a recent hospitalization for ACS. DESIGN AND METHODS: The direct medical costs of patients with a first ACS hospitalization (index event) in the period from 1 January 2008 to 31 December 2008 were estimated for a 1-year follow-up period. The resource consumption was measured in terms of: reimbursed drugs, diagnostic procedures, outpatient visits, and hospitalizations. The analysis was performed from the Italian National Health Service perspective. RESULTS: A total of 2,758,872 subjects were observed, 7082 (35.8% women) of whom being hospitalized for ACS during the accrual period (2.6 ‰). Among patients with ACS, 60% were medically treated, 33.1% were treated with percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), and 6.9% died during the index hospitalization. Dual antiplatelet treatment (ASA plus clopidogrel) was prescribed in 25.9% of the medically treated ACS patients and in 70.1% of the ACS patients treated with PCI. The average yearly cost per patient for the total ACS population was 11,464€/year (drugs 1,304€; hospitalizations 9,655€; diagnostic and outpatient visits 505€). The average annual cost was 10,862€ for medically treated patients and 14,111€ for patients treated with PCI. Patients who died of cardiovascular events during follow up had an average cost of 16,231€/patient. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with ACS had higher direct healthcare costs, their management and rehospitalizations being the main cost drivers.

Tópicos y reflexiones sobre la reducción de ingresos hospitalarios: de la evidencia a la práctica / Topics and considerations on reducing hospital admission: From evidence to practice

Los cambios demográficos y la realidad económica de los últimos años han condicionado una reorientación de las políticas sanitarias priorizando la atención a la cronicidad. Dada la concentración de costes en la atención hospitalaria de los pacientes con enfermedades crónicas, la reducción de las hospitalizaciones ha pasado a ser un objetivo preferente. Mientras tanto, constatamos que entre el objetivo paradigmático de abordaje eminentemente comunitario propuesto para estos pacientes y la realidad asistencial vigente, queda aún un largo recorrido que valdría la pena realizar paso a paso. Con la evidencia científica de la que disponemos en el momento actual: ¿Es razonable dar por sentado que hay un nivel adecuado de ingresos o que reducir el número de ingresos es necesariamente mejor para los pacientes? ¿Es posible definir operativamente y con la suficiente fiabilidad cuáles de los ingresos hospitalarios son evitables? ¿Es perjudicial para un paciente y para el sistema que una persona con enfermedades crónicas con altas necesidades de atención ingrese en un hospital? ¿No serán los ingresos hospitalarios evitables y los reingresos, indicadores de fragmentación de los sistemas de salud? Ante esta situación, un abordaje razonable requiere en primer lugar de un análisis crítico de las distintas realidades asistenciales (microsistemas) y de la revisión sistemática de la evidencia científica –rompiendo algunos tópicos si es preciso–. En segundo lugar es indispensable llevar este conocimiento a la práctica asistencial, con la necesidad absoluta de conciliar el «qué» y el «cómo», la visión individual con la visión poblacional, la enfermedad única con la multimorbilidad y, finalmente, el abordaje clínico con la planificación sanitaria (AU)

Demographic changes and the economic situation of the recent years have conditioned a turning point in health policies, which have decided to progressively prioritize chronicity care programs. Given that hospital costs were concentrated in attention to patients with chronic diseases, reduction on admissions is now a priority target.Meanwhile, we state that among the obviously community handling paradigmatic aim for those patients and the current care situation, there is a long way to do that should be done gradually. According to the current scientific evidence: Is it sensible to assume that there is a proper level of admissions or is it better for the patients to reduce the number of admissions? Is it possible to operationally and reliably define which hospital admissions are avoidable? Is it harmful to a patient and to the health care system to admit a patient with multiple chronic disease? Maybe are hospital admissions are avoidable and readmissions are indicators of a fragmented health care system?Given that situation, a reasonable approach requires firstly a critical analysis of the various realities of care (microsystems) and a systematic review of the scientific evidence-breaking, and rejecting some topics if necessary. Secondly, we should bring all this knowledge to clinical practice, conciliating «what» and the know-how, individual and population view, sole disease and multimorbidity, and finally clinical approach and health planning (AU)

[Robotic surgery]. / Robotsebészet.

Due to the fast spread of laparoscopic cholecystectomy, surgical procedures have been changed essentially. The new techniques applied for both abdominal and thoracic procedures provided the possibility for minimally invasive access with all its advantages. Robots - originally developed for industrial applications - were retrofitted for laparoscopic procedures. The currently prevailing robot-assisted surgery is ergonomically more advantageous for the surgeon, as well as for the patient through the more precise preparative activity thanks to the regained 3D vision. The gradual decrease of costs of robotic surgical systems and development of new generations of minimally invasive devices may lead to substantial changes in routine surgical procedures.

Projection of the burden of type 2 diabetes mellitus in Germany: a demographic modelling approach to estimate the direct medical excess costs from 2010 to 2040.

AIM: To model the future costs of Type 2 diabetes in Germany, taking into account demographic changes, disease dynamics and undiagnosed cases. METHODS: Using a time-discrete Markov model, the prevalence of diabetes (diagnosed/undiagnosed) between 2010 and 2040 was estimated and linked with cost weights. Demographic, epidemiological and economic scenarios were modelled. Inputs to the model included the official population forecasts, prevalence, incidence and mortality rates, proportions of undiagnosed cases, health expenditure and cost ratios of an individual with (diagnosed/undiagnosed) diabetes to an individual without diabetes. The outcomes were the case numbers and associated annual direct medical excess costs of Type 2 diabetes from a societal perspective in 2010€. RESULTS: In the base case, the case numbers of diabetes will grow from 5 million (2.8 million diagnosed) in 2010 to a maximum of 7.9 million (4.6 million diagnosed) in 2037. From 2010 to 2040, the prevalence rate amonf individuals ≥40 years old will increase from 10.5 to 16.3%. The annual costs of diabetes will increase by 79% from €11.8 billion in 2010 to €21.1 billion in 2040 (€9.5 billion to €17.6 billion for diagnosed cases). CONCLUSIONS: The projected increase in costs will be attributable to demographic changes and disease dynamics, and will be enhanced by higher per capita costs with advancing age. Better epidemiological and economic data regarding diabetes care in Germany would improve the forecasting accuracy. The method used in the present study can anticipate the effects of alternative policy scenarios and can easily be adapted to other chronic diseases.