Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://ahro.austin.org.au/austinjspui/handle/1/13241
Title: Measurement of surgical costs: a clinical analysis.
Austin Authors: Hardy, Kenneth John;Miller, H;McNeil, J;Shulkes, Arthur
Affiliation: University of Melbourne, Department of Surgery, Austin Hospital, Heidelberg, Victoria, Australia
Issue Date: 1-Sep-1994
Publication information: Australian and New Zealand Journal of Surgery; 64(9): 607-11
Abstract: Because of reduced health care funding it is becoming necessary for surgeons to take a greater interest in the costs of individual operations. This study reports costs directly measurable to the patient, and also the indirect costs of hospital overheads, an operating suite and teaching, which were 37, 10 and 15%, respectively (62%), of hospital budget. A scheme has been developed which could give surgeons a standard to report direct costs. Pre-admission, ward, operating room, recovery, intensive care and post-admission are defined as cost periods and the modalities of staff, equipment (capital, maintenance and replacement), imaging, laboratory and consumables apply to each. This strategy was applied to assess open cholecystectomy (OC) and laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) as an example. The direct costs for OC were $3706 and LC $2868, a difference of $838; the indirect and direct costs were OC $6004 and LC $4646, a difference of $1358. Thus indirect cost magnified the difference between the operations. Bed stay, density of nursing and use of disposable instruments were the major influence on direct costs. The individual cost advantage of a shorter bed stay may be countervailed by an increased hospital activity. The main patient benefit of new operations may be improved quality of life and more rapid return to work with prevention of salary losses. A method has been developed to define costs of a particular surgical operation with the purpose of stimulating surgeons' interest in this topic and developing a common style of reporting.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Gov't Doc #: 8085974
URI: https://ahro.austin.org.au/austinjspui/handle/1/13241
Journal: Australian and New Zealand Journal of Surgery
URL: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/8085974
Type: Journal Article
Subjects: Cholecystectomy.economics
Cholecystectomy, Laparoscopic.economics
Costs and Cost Analysis
Economics, Hospital
Hospital Costs
Humans
Length of Stay.economics
Medical Staff, Hospital.economics
Recovery Room.economics
Surgical Procedures, Operative.economics
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