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Adam A, Ibrahim NA, Tah PC, Liu XY, Dainelli L, Foo CY. Decision tree model for early use of semi-elemental formula versus standard polymeric formula in critically ill Malaysian patients: A cost-effectiveness study. JPEN J Parenter Enteral Nutr 2023; 47:1003-1010. [PMID: 37497593 DOI: 10.1002/jpen.2554] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2022] [Revised: 07/20/2023] [Accepted: 07/25/2023] [Indexed: 07/28/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Prevention of enteral feeding interruption (EFI) improves clinical outcomes of critically ill intensive care unit (ICU) patients. This leads to shorter ICU stays and thereby lowers healthcare costs. This study compared the cost of early use of semi-elemental formula (SEF) in ICU vs standard polymeric formula (SPF) under the Ministry of Health (MOH) system in Malaysia. METHODS A decision tree model was developed based on literature and expert inputs. An epidemiological projection model was then added to the decision tree to calculate the target population size. The budget impact of adapting the different enteral nutrition (EN) formulas was calculated by multiplying the population size with the costs of the formula and ICU length of stay (LOS). A one-way sensitivity analysis (OWSA) was conducted to examine the effect each input parameter has on the calculated output. RESULTS Replacing SPF with SEF would lower ICU cost by MYR 1059 (USD 216) per patient. The additional cost of increased LOS due to EFI was MYR 5460 (USD 1114) per patient. If the MOH replaces SPF with SEF for ICU patients with high EFI risk (estimated 7981 patients in 2022), an annual net cost reduction of MYR 8.4 million (USD 1.7 million) could potentially be realized in the MOH system. The cost-reduction finding of replacing SPF with SEF remained unchanged despite the input uncertainties assessed via OWSA. CONCLUSION Early use of SEF in ICU patients with high EFI risk could potentially lower the cost of ICU care for the MOH system in Malaysia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aisha Adam
- Real-World Solutions, IQVIA, Petaling Jaya, Malaysia
| | - Noor Airini Ibrahim
- Department of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang, Malaysia
| | - Pei Chien Tah
- Department of Dietetics, University of Malaya Medical Centre, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Xin Yi Liu
- Nestlé Health Science, Petaling Jaya, Malaysia
| | - Livia Dainelli
- Global Market Access & Pricing, Nestlé Health Science, Vevey, Switzerland
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Lønhaug-Næss M, Jakobsen MD, Blix BH, Bergmo TS, Hoben M, Moholt JM. Older high-cost patients in Norwegian somatic hospitals: a register-based study of patient characteristics. BMJ Open 2023; 13:e074411. [PMID: 37793934 PMCID: PMC10551970 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2023-074411] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2023] [Accepted: 09/13/2023] [Indexed: 10/06/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Two-thirds of the economic resources in Norwegian hospitals are used on 10% of the patients. Most of these high-cost patients are older adults, which experience more unplanned hospital admissions, longer hospital stays and higher readmission rates than other patients. This study aims to examine the individual and clinical characteristics of older patients with unplanned admissions to Norwegian somatic hospitals and how these characteristics differ between high-cost and low-cost older patients. DESIGN Observational cross-sectional study. SETTING Norwegian somatic hospitals. PARTICIPANTS National registry data of older Norwegian patients (≥65 years) with ≥1 unplanned contact with somatic hospitals in 2019 (n=2 11 738). PRIMARY OUTCOME MEASURE High-cost older patients were defined as those within the 10% of the highest diagnosis-related group weights in 2019 (n=21 179). We compared high-cost to low-cost older patients using bivariate analyses and logistic regression analysis. RESULTS Men were more likely to be high-cost older patients than women (OR=1.25, 95% CI 1.21 to 1.29) and the oldest (90+ years) compared with the youngest older adults (65-69 years) were less likely to cause high costs (OR=0.47, 95% CI 0.43 to 0.51). Those with the highest level of education were less likely to cause high costs than those with primary school degrees (OR=0.74, 95% CI 0.69 to 0.80). Main diagnosis group (OR=3.50, 95% CI 3.37 to 3.63) and dying (OR=4.13, 95% CI 3.96 to 4.30) were the clinical characteristics most strongly associated with the likelihood of being a high-cost older patient. CONCLUSION Several of the observed patient characteristics in this study may warrant further investigation as they might contribute to high healthcare costs. For example, MDGs, reflecting comprehensive healthcare needs and lower education, which is associated with poorer health status, increase the likelihood of being high-cost older patients. Our results indicate that Norwegian hospitals function according to the intentions of those having the highest needs receiving most services.
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Affiliation(s)
- Morten Lønhaug-Næss
- Department of Health and Care Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, UiT The Arctic University of Norway, Tromso, Norway
| | - Monika Dybdahl Jakobsen
- Department of Health and Care Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, UiT The Arctic University of Norway, Tromso, Norway
- Center for Care Research North, UiT The Arctic University of Norway, Tromso, Norway
| | - Bodil Hansen Blix
- Department of Health and Care Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, UiT The Arctic University of Norway, Tromso, Norway
- Western Norway University of Applied Sciences, Bergen, Norway
| | - Trine Strand Bergmo
- Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Health Sciences, UiT The Arctic University of Norway, Tromso, Norway
- Digital Health Services, Norwegian Center for E-health Research, Tromso, Norway
| | - Matthias Hoben
- Faculty of Health, School of Health Policy & Management, York University, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Faculty of Nursing, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Jill-Marit Moholt
- Department of Health and Care Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, UiT The Arctic University of Norway, Tromso, Norway
- Center for Care Research North, UiT The Arctic University of Norway, Tromso, Norway
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Koutsouki S, Kosmidis D, Nagy EO, Tsaroucha A, Anastasopoulos G, Pnevmatikos I, Papaioannou V. Limitation of Non-Beneficial Interventions and their Impact on the Intensive Care Unit Costs. J Crit Care Med (Targu Mures) 2023; 9:230-238. [PMID: 37969880 PMCID: PMC10644299 DOI: 10.2478/jccm-2023-0028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2023] [Accepted: 09/30/2023] [Indexed: 11/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Using a plan to limit non-beneficial life support interventions has significantly reduced harm and loss of dignity for patients at the end of life. The association of these limitations with patients' clinical characteristics and health care costs in the intensive care unit (ICU) needs further scientific evidence. Aim of the study To explore decisions to limit non-beneficial life support interventions, their correlation with patients' clinical data, and their effect on the cost of care in the ICU. Material and Methods We included all patients admitted to the general ICU of a hospital in Greece in a two-year (2019-2021) prospective study. Data collection included patient demographic and clinical variables, data related to decisions to limit (withholding, withdrawing) non-beneficial interventions (NBIs), and economic data. Comparisons were made between patients with and without limitation decisions. Results NBIs were limited in 164 of 454 patients (36.12%). Patients with limitation decisions were associated with older age (70y vs. 62y; p<0,001), greater disease severity score (APACHE IV, 71 vs. 50; p<0,001), longer length of stay (7d vs. 4.5d; p<0,001), and worse prognosis of death (APACHE IV PDR, 48.9 vs. 17.35; p<0,001). All cost categories and total cost per patient were also higher than the patient without limitation of NBIs (9247,79€ vs. 8029,46€, p<0,004). The mean daily cost has not differed between the groups (831,24€ vs. 832,59€; p<0,716). However, in the group of patients with limitations, all cost categories, including the average daily cost (767.31€ vs. 649.12€) after the limitation of NBIs, were reduced to a statistically significant degree (p<0.001). Conclusions Limiting NBIs in the ICU reduces healthcare costs and may lead to better management of ICU resource use.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Dimitrios Kosmidis
- Nursing Department, International Hellenic University, Didymoteicho, Greece
| | | | - Alexandra Tsaroucha
- Postgraduate program on Bioethics, Laboratory of Bioethics, Medical School, Democritus University of Thrace, Alexandroupolis, Greece
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Hachen M, Musy SN, Fröhlich A, Jeitziner MM, Kindler A, Perrodin S, Zante B, Zúñiga F, Simon M. Developing a reflection and analysis tool (We-ReAlyse) for readmissions to the intensive care unit: A quality improvement project. Intensive Crit Care Nurs 2023; 77:103441. [PMID: 37178615 DOI: 10.1016/j.iccn.2023.103441] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2023] [Revised: 03/29/2023] [Accepted: 04/14/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Readmissions to the intensive care unit are associated with poorer patient outcomes and health prognoses, alongside increased lengths of stay and mortality risk. To improve quality of care and patients' safety, it is essential to understand influencing factors relevant to specific patient populations and settings. A standardized tool for systematic retrospective analysis of readmissions would help healthcare professionals understand risks and reasons affecting readmissions; however, no such tool exists. PURPOSE This study's purpose was to develop a tool (We-ReAlyse) to analyze readmissions to the intensive care unit from general units by reflecting on affected patients' pathways from intensive care discharge to readmission. The results will highlight case-specific causes of readmission and potential areas for departmental- and institutional-level improvements. METHOD A root cause analysis approach guided this quality improvement project. The tool's iterative development process included a literature search, a clinical expert panel, and a testing in January and February 2021. RESULTS The We-ReAlyse tool guides healthcare professionals to identify areas for quality improvement by reflecting the patient's pathway from the initial intensive care stay to readmission. Ten readmissions were analyzed by using the We-ReAlyse tool, resulting in key insights about possible root causes like the handover process, patient's care needs, the resources on the general unit and the use of different electronic healthcare record systems. CONCLUSIONS The We-ReAlyse tool provides a visualization/objectification of issues related to intensive care readmissions, gathering data upon which to base quality improvement interventions. Based on the information on how multi-level risk profiles and knowledge deficits contribute to readmission rates, nurses can target specific quality improvements to reduce those rates. IMPLICATIONS FOR CLINICAL PRACTICE AND RESEARCH With the We-ReAlyse tool, we have the opportunity to collect detailed information about ICU readmissions for an in-depth analysis. This will allow health professionals in all involved departments to discuss and either correct or cope with the identified issues. In the long term, this will allow continuous, concerted efforts to reduce and prevent ICU readmissions. To obtain more data for analysis and to further refine and simplify the tool, it may be applied to larger samples of ICU readmissions. Furthermore, to test its generalizability, the tool should be applied to patients from other departments and other hospitals. Adapting it to an electronic version would facilitate the timely and comprehensive collection of necessary information. Finally, the tool's emphasis comprises reflecting on and analyzing ICU readmissions, allowing clinicians to develop interventions targeting the identified problems. Therefore, future research in this area will require the development and evaluation of potential interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martina Hachen
- Department of Visceral Surgery and Medicine, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, Switzerland.
| | - Sarah N Musy
- Institute of Nursing Science, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland.
| | - Annina Fröhlich
- Department of Visceral Surgery and Medicine, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, Switzerland.
| | - Marie-Madlen Jeitziner
- Institute of Nursing Science, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland; Department of Intensive Care Medicine, Inselspital, University Hospital Bern, Bern, Switzerland.
| | - Angela Kindler
- Department of Physiotherapy, Inselspital, University Hospital Bern, Bern, Switzerland.
| | - Stéphanie Perrodin
- Department of Visceral Surgery and Medicine, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, Switzerland.
| | - Bjoern Zante
- Department of Intensive Care Medicine, Inselspital, University Hospital Bern, Bern, Switzerland.
| | - Franziska Zúñiga
- Institute of Nursing Science, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland.
| | - Michael Simon
- Institute of Nursing Science, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland.
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Rahimi H, Goudarzi R, Markazi-Moghaddam N, Nezami-Asl A, Zargar Balaye Jame S. Cost-benefit analysis of Intensive Care Unit with Activity-Based Costing approach in the era COVID-19 pandemic: A case study from Iran. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0285792. [PMID: 37192194 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0285792] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2022] [Accepted: 04/29/2023] [Indexed: 05/18/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Providing intensive care to acute patients is a vital part of health systems. However, the high cost of Intensive Care Units (ICU) has limited their development, especially in low-income countries. Due to the increasing need for intensive care and limited resources, ICU cost management is important. This study aimed to analyze the cost-benefit of ICU during COVID-19 in Tehran, Iran. METHODS This cross-sectional study is an economic evaluation of health interventions. The study was conducted in the COVID-19 dedicated ICU, from the provider's point of view and within one-year horizon. Costs were calculated using a top-down approach and the Activity-Based Costing technique. Benefits were extracted from the hospital's HIS system. Benefit Cost ratio (BCR) and Net Present Value (NPV) indexes were used for cost-benefit analysis (CBA). A sensitivity analysis was performed to evaluate the dependence of the CBA results on the uncertainties in the cost data. Analysis was performed with Excel and STATA software. RESULTS The studied ICU had 43 personnel, 14 active beds, a 77% bed occupancy rate, and 3959 occupied bed days. The total costs were $2,372,125.46 USD, of which 70.3% were direct costs. The highest direct cost was related to human resources. The total net income was $1,213,314.13 USD. NPV and BCR were obtained as $-1,158,811.32 USD and 0.511 respectively. CONCLUSION Despite operating with a relatively high capacity, ICU has had high losses during the COVID-19. Proper management and re-planning in the structure of human resources is recommended due to its importance in the hospital economy, provision of resources based on needs assessment, improvement of drugs management, reduction of insurance deductions in order to reduce costs and improve ICU productivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hamed Rahimi
- Department of Health Management and Economics, Faculty of Medicine, AJA University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Reza Goudarzi
- Health Services Management Research Center, Institute for Futures Studies in Health, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
| | - Nader Markazi-Moghaddam
- Department of Health Management and Economics, Faculty of Medicine, AJA University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Amir Nezami-Asl
- Faculty of Aerospace and Subaquatic Medicine, AJA University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Sanaz Zargar Balaye Jame
- Department of Health Management and Economics, Faculty of Medicine, AJA University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
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Chen F, Chen X, Gu P, Sang X, Wu R, Tian M, Ye Y, Long C, Bishwajit G, Ji L, Feng D, Yang L, Tang S. The economic burden of malaria inpatients and its determinants during China's elimination stage. Front Public Health 2022; 10:994529. [PMID: 36388376 PMCID: PMC9651145 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2022.994529] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2022] [Accepted: 09/30/2022] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Malaria burden is still worrisome, while empirical evidence from malaria-eliminated countries including China may provide inspiration for the world. Objective This study aimed to investigate China's malaria hospitalization costs and explore its determinants. Methods Stratified multistage sampling across provincial, municipal, and county hospitals was conducted in 2017. All the malaria medical records were retrieved from 2014 to 2016 in 70 hospitals. Parametric and non-parametric methods were employed to estimate hospitalization costs, and the non-parametric bootstrap was used to compare hospitalization costs among sample areas and assessed the uncertainty of its differences. Quantile regressions were conducted to identify the determinants of hospitalization costs. Results The median hospitalization costs of 1633 malaria inpatients were 628 USD. Medication and laboratory tests accounted for over 70% of total expenditure. The median reimbursement rate was 41.87%, and this number was even lower in higher-level hospitals (<35%) and among the New Rural Cooperative Medical Scheme (<40%). Finally, health insurance type, hospital tier, clinical units, unknown fever, and comorbidity were the main determinants of hospitalization costs. Conclusion The disparity of health protection for malaria hospitalization between rural and urban areas was noteworthy. Equivocal diagnosis and comorbidity are contributors of high cost as well. A reasonable payment system and enhanced capacities to treat malaria in a cost-effective way are suggested to reassure malaria economic burden.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fangfei Chen
- School of Medicine and Health Management, Tongji Medical College of Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Xiaoyu Chen
- School of Medicine and Health Management, Tongji Medical College of Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Peng Gu
- Division of Comprehensive, China Science and Technology Exchange Center, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaodong Sang
- Division of Comprehensive and Supervision, China Biotechnology Development Center, Beijing, China
| | - Ruijun Wu
- Division of Strategy and Policy, China Biotechnology Development Center, Beijing, China
| | - Miaomiao Tian
- Division of Public Rights Protection, Beijing Municipal Health Commission, Beijing, China
| | - Yisheng Ye
- School of Medicine and Health Management, Tongji Medical College of Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Chengxu Long
- Faculty of Social Science and Public Policy, King's College, London, United Kingdom
| | - Ghose Bishwajit
- School of Pharmacy, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Lu Ji
- School of Medicine and Health Management, Tongji Medical College of Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Da Feng
- School of Pharmacy, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Lei Yang
- College of Public Administration, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China,*Correspondence: Lei Yang
| | - Shangfeng Tang
- School of Medicine and Health Management, Tongji Medical College of Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China,Shangfeng Tang
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Ewoldt TMJ, Abdulla A, Hunfeld NGM, Muller AE, Gommers D, Polinder S, Koch BCP, Endeman H. Health Care Costs of Target Attainment for Beta-Lactam Antibiotics in Critically Ill Patients: A Retrospective Analysis of the EXPAT Study. Ther Drug Monit 2022; 44:224-229. [PMID: 33770020 PMCID: PMC8746885 DOI: 10.1097/ftd.0000000000000891] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2021] [Accepted: 02/23/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Optimizing beta-lactam antibiotic treatment is a promising method to reduce the length of intensive care unit (ICU) stay and therefore reduce ICU costs. We used data from the EXPAT trial to determine whether beta-lactam antibiotic target attainment is a cost determinant in the ICU. METHODS Patients included in the EXPAT trial were divided into target attainment and target nonattainment based on serum antibiotic levels. All hospital costs were extracted from the hospital administration system and categorized. RESULTS In total, 79 patients were included in the analysis. Target attainment showed a trend toward higher total ICU costs (€44,600 versus €28,200, P = 0.103). This trend disappeared when correcting for ICU length of stay (€2680 versus €2700). Renal replacement therapy was the most important cost driver. CONCLUSIONS Target attainment for beta-lactam antibiotics shows a trend toward higher total costs in ICU patients, which can be attributed to the high costs of a long stay in the ICU and renal replacement therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Anouk E. Muller
- Medical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Haaglanden Medical Center, The Hague, the Netherlands; and
| | | | - Suzanne Polinder
- Department of Public Health, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
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