Background: Free flap surgery is overall considered the gold standard for head and neck reconstruction. Despite of this, microsurgery is not performed in any centre because of surgical skills and training needed, and the elevated equipment costs and surgical devices. Objectives: Aim of the study is to evaluate costs of free flap procedures in head and neck reconstruction at Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza (San Giovanni Rotondo, Italy). Methods: Collecting data from the clinical notes and using the “Hospital Patient Costing” method highlighted on health activity-based costing (HABC) study, we derived the single hospitalisation cost for each activity (ward costs, operation theatres costs, intensive care costs) divided to productivity factors (surgeons, nurses, other health operators, drugs, devices). Findings: We obtained the real cost of a single hospitalisation event that can be compared to standard benchmark cost evaluated from a statistical analysis from an Italian Hospital Network and also compared with the NHS refound tariffs. Conclusion: HABC method allows determining costing for single hospitalisation event for each productive factor (human and not) and for single clinical activity. Sharing the HABC system with a group of hospitals allows defining standard cost (benchmark). Monitoring costs improves efficiency and allows reinvesting the money saved and reduces healthcare costs without losing standard qualities.
Cost analysis of free flap surgery in head and neck reconstruction
C. Copelli;
2017-01-01
Abstract
Background: Free flap surgery is overall considered the gold standard for head and neck reconstruction. Despite of this, microsurgery is not performed in any centre because of surgical skills and training needed, and the elevated equipment costs and surgical devices. Objectives: Aim of the study is to evaluate costs of free flap procedures in head and neck reconstruction at Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza (San Giovanni Rotondo, Italy). Methods: Collecting data from the clinical notes and using the “Hospital Patient Costing” method highlighted on health activity-based costing (HABC) study, we derived the single hospitalisation cost for each activity (ward costs, operation theatres costs, intensive care costs) divided to productivity factors (surgeons, nurses, other health operators, drugs, devices). Findings: We obtained the real cost of a single hospitalisation event that can be compared to standard benchmark cost evaluated from a statistical analysis from an Italian Hospital Network and also compared with the NHS refound tariffs. Conclusion: HABC method allows determining costing for single hospitalisation event for each productive factor (human and not) and for single clinical activity. Sharing the HABC system with a group of hospitals allows defining standard cost (benchmark). Monitoring costs improves efficiency and allows reinvesting the money saved and reduces healthcare costs without losing standard qualities.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
