The cost analysis using the clinical practice guideline and cost minimization analysis in orthopaedic inpatients under universal coverage policy admitted to Siriraj Hospital.

Objective: The hospital revenues are decreasing from the government policy in the universal coverage while increasing the hospital expenses . The cost analysis is a very important tool for the strategic plan in the hospital expenses reduction with standard quality. This study wanted to investigate the cost of 12 orthopaedic diseases using the clinical practice guideline (CPG) at maximum length of stay (LOS) and to compare the cost before and after utilization management in cost minimization analysis in orthopaedic inpatients under the universal coverage policy. Methods: Part 1, The CPG with maximum LOS was studied in detail and the cost analysis was performed using the formula C = S+I+X+P+O+L+A+R while C = unit service cost/case, S = service cost, I = instrument cost, X= X-ray cost, P = prosthetic cost, O = operating cost, L = laboratory cost, A = anesthetic cost, R = recovery room cost. Part 2, the cost minimization analysis (CMA) before and after utilization management was studied in 2 groups. Group A consisted of 236 cases which were studied after utilization management from June 1, 2003 to February 24, 2005. Group B consisted of 89 cases from June 1, 2002 to May 31, 2003 which were studied before utilization management was introduced in the department. The cost of both groups were compared. Results: The cost of the 12 orthopaedic diseases ranged from 13,036.10 baht/case for 3 days LOS in club foot surgery to 99,532.73 baht/case for 21 days LOS in total hip replacement surgery. The reduction of 1 day LOS reduces the service cost by an average 1,844.26 baht. The CMA found that after utilization management in group A, the CMA in the average cost reduction was 3,274.45 baht/case with an average 2.07 days reduction in length of stay. Both groups had the same outcomes. Conclusion: The cost analysis was done in 12 orthopaedic diseases using CPG. The usefulness with cost reduction was found after implementation of utilization management.

Medical utilization review by indicators “ORTHOPAEDICS” in orthopaedic inpatients under universal coverage policy admitted to Siriraj Hospital.

Objective: Utilization review is very important especially in universal coverage policy. In Siriraj Hospital the utilization review began in 2002, and the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery developed the indicators “ORTHOPAEDICS” to assess the appropriateness of medical utilization. This study is designed to study the effectiveness of medical utilization review by using indicators “ORTHOPAEDICS” in orthopaedics, public inpatients under universal coverage policy in terms of expenses, the appropriateness, length of hospital stay and the satisfaction of the patients. Methods: 301 orthopaedic inpatients were divided in 2 groups: Group A included 149 patients, 100 men and 49 women. Their average age was 32.7 years old. From June 1, 2003 – May 31, 2004, each patient was prospectively reviewed regarding their daily utilization in terms of expenses, appropriateness of medical utilization by using indicators “ORTHOPAEDICS”. Their length of hospitalization was measured, as well as and their satisfaction evaluated. Group B was the control which included 152 patients, 98 men and 54 women. Their average age was 34.8 years old. No intervention was performed and the data was collected only in expenses and the length of hospital stay for each patient retrospectively from June 1, 2002– May 31, 2003. The expenses and the length of hospital stay of both groups were compared and analyzed. The appropriateness in Group A was studied by using indicators “ORTHOPAEDICS” which were: O = Operation; R = Relative weight rate; T = Type of treatment; H = Hospital stay; O = Occurrence of complication; P = procedures; A = admission; E = expenses; D = drugs; I = Investigation; C = Care map according to CPG of 12 diseases; S = Satisfactions score from 0-10 minimum to maximum, by asking the patients about the satisfaction in term of results of treatment. Results: The total expenses per patient in group A was 24,566.74 baht but in group B was 30,484.53 baht. The expense in group A was 5,917.79 baht reduction which was statistically significant difference (P<0.05). The average length of hospital stay in group A was 8.24 days, whereas in group B was 10.93 days. It reduced 2.69 days after utilization review was implemented. The appropriateness of utilization was found in the procedures, drugs and investigation without inappropriateness (0%). The inappropriateness in admission was 26.9% because the physician forgot to take blood examination and laboratory investigation before admission and it was done in the ward without any effect the treatment. And the average satisfaction score in group A was 9.6. Conclusion: “ORTHOPAEDICS” was useful and helpful indicator to significantly reduce the expense per patient and the length of hospitalization without reducing patient satisfaction and quality of treatment.