Costs of examinations performed in a hospital laboratory in Chile / Custos de exames em um laboratório clínico hospitalar no Chile / Costos de exámenes en un laboratorio clínico hospitalario de Chile

ABSTRACT Objective: To determine the total average costs related to laboratory examinations performed in a hospital laboratory in Chile. Method: Retrospective study with data from July 2014 to June 2015. 92 examinations classified in ten groups were selected according to the analysis methodology. The costs were estimated as the sum of direct and indirect laboratory costs and indirect institutional factors. Results: The average values obtained for the costs according to examination group (in USD) were: 1.79 (clinical chemistry), 10.21 (immunoassay techniques), 13.27 (coagulation), 26.06 (high-performance liquid chromatography), 21.2 (immunological), 3.85 (gases and electrolytes), 156.48 (cytogenetic), 1.38 (urine), 4.02 (automated hematological), 4.93 (manual hematological). Conclusion: The value, or service fee, returned to public institutions who perform laboratory services does not adequately reflect the true total average production costs of examinations.

RESUMO Objetivo: Determinar os custos médios totais associados à realização de exames laboratoriais em um laboratório clínico hospitalar no Chile. Método: Estudo retrospectivo com informações de julho de 2014 a junho de 2015. Foram selecionados 92 exames classificados em dez grupos de acordo com a metodologia de análise. Os custos foram estimados como a soma dos custos diretos e indiretos de laboratório e fatores institucionais indiretos. Resultados: Os valores médios dos custos foram obtidos de acordo com o grupo de exames (em dólares): 1,79 (química clínica), 10,21 (técnicas de imunoensaio), 13,27 (coagulação), 26,06 (cromatografia líquida de alta resolução), 21,2 (imunológicos), 3,85 (gases e eletrólitos), 156,48 (citogenéticos), 1,38 (urina), 4,02 (hematológicos automáticos), 4,93 (hematológicos manuais). Conclusão: O valor retornado às instituições públicas, ou taxas de serviço, que prestam serviços laboratoriais não refletem adequadamente os custos totais reais da produção de exames.

RESUMEN Objetivo: determinar los costos medios totales asociados a la realización de exámenes de laboratorio en un laboratorio clínico hospitalario de Chile. Método: estudio retrospectivo con información del período julio 2104 a junio 2015. Se seleccionaron 92 exámenes clasificados en diez grupos según la metodología de análisis. Los costos se estimaron como la suma de costos directos e indirectos de laboratorio y factores indirectos institucionales. Resultados: se obtuvieron los valores promedio para los costos según grupo de exámenes (en dólares): 1,79 (química clínica), 10,21 (técnicas de inmunoensayos), 13,27 (coagulación), 26,06 (cromatografía líquida de alta resolución), 21,2 (inmunológicos), 3,85 (gases y electrolitos), 156,48 (citogenéticos), 1,38 (orina), 4,02 (hematológicos automatizados), 4,93 (hematológicos manuales). Conclusión: el valor que retorna a las instituciones públicas, o arancel por servicio, que prestan servicios de laboratorio no refleja adecuadamente los verdaderos costos medios totales de producción de exámenes.

Costos directos de varicela complicada en una población pediátrica de Colombia / Direct costs of complicated chicken pox in a Colombian pediatric population

Objetivo Estimar los costos directos de varicela en una población pediátrica de Colombia. Método Se diseño un estudio de casos retrospectivo sobre todos los casos de varicela diagnosticados de 2005-2008 en el Hospital Infantil Napoleón Franco Pareja de Cartagena de Indias, Colombia. Fue utilizada la perspectiva del hospital. Se buscaron costos de atención, laboratorio, imagenología y medicamentos. El microcosteo se realizó en pesos colombianos del 2010. Se realizó un ajuste por inflación. Resultados La mediana de costos totales hospitalarios fue de $ 898 766 (Q1: $ 197 348; Q3: $ 1 195 262). La mediana de costo por día hospitalario fue de $ 221 777 (Q1: $ 97 027; Q3: $ 293 740). En menores de 1 año la mediana de costo fue de $ 980 742 (Q1: $ 905 708; Q3: $ 1 026 031). En pacientes de 5-12 años la mediana de costo fue de $ 105 833 (Q1: $ 39 568; Q3: $ 891 824). Conclusiones. Los resultados se asemejan con estudios previos sobre el tema (en Panamá, e incluso algunos países desarrollados), evidenciando un relativo alto costo de enfermedad por varicela en Colombia. Estos resultados aumentan la evidencia a favor de la vacunación, e invitan a decisores en salud en Colombia a considerar la introducción de la vacunación contra varicela.

Objective Estimating the cost of chicken pox in a Colombian pediatric population. Methodology This was a retrospective case study which searched for all diagnosed chicken pox cases in the Napoleón Franco Pareja children’s hospital (Cartagena, Colombia), during 2005-2008. The hospital’s records/perspective was used. Cost related to health personnel, lab, diagnostic images and drugs were searched. The micro-costing was made at Colombian peso prices for 2010. An adjustment was made for inflation. Results Mean hospital costs were $ 898,766 (Q1: $ 197,348; Q3: $ 1,195,262). Mean hospital cost per day was $ 221,777 (Q1: $ 97,027; Q3: $ 293,740). Mean cost <1 year-old patients was $ 980,742 (Q1: $ 905,708; Q3: $ 1,026,031). Mean cost was $ 105,833 in 5-12 year-old patients (Q1: $ 39,568; Q3: $ 891,824). Conclusions The results were similar to those of previous studies (in Panama and some developed countries) highlighting relatively high illness costs in Colombia. These results increase the evidence in favor of vaccination and invite Colombian public health officials to consider introducing a chicken pox vaccine into Colombia.

Evaluación de control de calidad, gestión y costos del hemograma en un hospital complejo tipo 1 / Evaluation of hemogram quality control, management and cost in a complex hospital type 1

Determinar criterios de evaluación morfológica del hemograma, basados en parámetros clínicos y resultados del contador hematológico, en términos de gestión, costos y clínica en un hospital tipo 1. Pacientes, materiales y métodos: muestras de hemogramas de pacientes del hospital de carabineros de Chile durante el mes de agosto de 2009, analizadas en un equipo HMX Beckman-Coulter y evaluadas morfológicamente por Tecnólogo Médico(TM). Se registraron parámetros clínicos como hemoglobina, leucocitos y plaquetas; además se consideró el lugar de derivación, especialidad y edad del paciente. Se determinaron los costos e ingresos en función de los resultados obtenidos. Resultados: de los 2.222 pacientes evaluados, existió concordancia entre el Tecnólogo Médico y el analizador en 93,3 por ciento de los casos, con una sensibilidad de 97,3 por ciento y una especificidad de 88,9 por ciento con valores predictivos positivo y negativo de 95,9 por ciento y 92,7 por ciento respectivamente, para detectar una muestra anormal. Con los criterios de selección fue posible eliminar la evaluación morfológca en 79,5 por ciento de los casos, permitiendo un ahorro de $3655929 en el mes por concepto de hemogramas. Discusión: el estudio demostró que es posible disminuir el número de evaluaciones morfológicas realizadas al hemograma a valores similares obtenidos en estudios internacionales, con reducción significativa de los costos y tiempos de TM.

Objective: to determine criteria for the morphological analysis of the full blood count, based on the clinical parameters and the results of the full blood count using an automatic counter in terms of cost and clinicla implications in a distric hospital. Patients, Materials and Method: Full blood count samples from patients attended in the Hospital de Carabineros de Chile during the month of August 2009 were analyzed using HmX Beckman-Coulter and evaluated morpholigically by the Medical Science Officer(Medical Technologist). Clinical parameters, hemoglobin, white cell count platete count were registered, as well the origin of the specimen, medical speciality an patient age. The cost an income derived from the full blood count were determined by the Unit of Cost, Hospital of Carabineros and the changes in costs calculated in function of the results obtained. Results: Of the 2,222 patients evaluated, there was a concordance between the Clinical Science Officer(Medical Technologist) and the automatic counter in 93,9 percent of the samples, with a sensitivity of 97,3 percent and a specificy of 88,9 percent, a positive and negative predictive evalues of 95,9 percent and 92,7 percent respectively for detecting an abnormal sample. Using the criteria of selection it was possible to eliminate the evaluation morphological in 79,5 percent of the samples permitting a saving of $3655929 per month for the analysis of full morphological evaluations of the blood count without losing clinically important data in 80 percent of the samples, which is similar to that reported internationally, with a significant decrease in cost an Medical Scientific Officer time.

Survey Results of Medical Insurance Reimbursement System for Independent Medical Laboratories in Korea / 대한진단검사의학회지

BACKGROUND: A questionnaire survey was performed to perceive the problem of the current medical insurance reimbursement system for laboratory tests referred to independent medical laboratories; then, we intended to find a way to improve the reimbursement system. METHODS: Questionnaires were distributed to 220 independent medical laboratories and 700 laboratory physicians from July through October 2005. Frequency analysis was used to analyse the replies from 109 respondents to 25 questionnaire items regarding the current medical insurance reimbursement system for referral tests, problems with the system, and suggestions for the improvement of the system. RESULTS: Among the 109 respondents to this survey, 49 (45.8%) considered the current reimbursement system to be unsatisfactory, while only 16 (15.0%) answered satisfactory. The problem was that the referral clinics-not the laboratories that performed the tests--would first receive their reimbursement for the laboratory tests from Health Insurance Review Agency (HIRA) and then give a portion of the laboratory test fees to the independent medical laboratories after the deduction of administrative fees. They (62.5% of the respondents) would prefer a separated reimbursement system by which the referral clinic-as well as the independent medical laboratory-would receive their reimbursement directly from HIRA through an Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) system. In this new system, 34% of the respondents expected the quality of the laboratory tests to be improved; however, 41.6% answered that the income of the referral clinic is expected to decrease. CONCLUSIONS: For the improvement of the medical insurance reimbursement system, the administrative fee for the referral clinic and the test fee for the independent medical laboratory should be reimbursed directly to the respective organizations. These changes could be made possible with the proper analysis of medical costs and the development of an effective EDI reimbursement system.

Economical choices in setting up a diagnostic myeloma laboratory.

In setting up a diagnostic myeloma laboratory the popular, highly automated and otherwise excellent choices of equipment and laboratory practices, so exorbitantly raise costs that the sustainability, even in large government hospitals in third world countries may become difficult. Based on our experience in a regional cancer center in India, we offer here, guidelines for carrying out high resolution electrophoresis, densitometry, immunofixation and urine concentration. We show that by simply employing well established techniques and doing them properly, one can get results of excellent quality at minimum cost and minimum dependence on costly imports.

Cost analysis of laboratory tests: a study of the Central Laboratory of King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital.

OBJECTIVES: To present cost analysis on laboratory management of laboratory tests provided by the Central Laboratory of King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital (KCMH). MATERIAL AND METHOD: The expenditure and income of the laboratory were studied using a descriptive design. RESULTS: The Central Laboratory provided routine hematology, urinalysis, and chemistry tests, and performed 2,157,275 tests in year 2002. The expenditure of the Central Laboratory was 32,094,960.24 baht, while the income was 97,393,244.40 baht. The average calculated profitability ratio for all parameters was 3.03. CONCLUSION: The authors concluded that the Central Laboratory is a good Revenue Producing Cost Center (RPCC) for the hospital. To improve the laboratory efficiency, the data needed for laboratory management should be easily available to the laboratory manager. In addition, the authors strongly suggest that the organization structure and the data management system of the hospital and the faculty should be simplified for future management. In addition, all laboratories should perform their own cost analysis.

Thai clinical laboratory responsible to economic crisis.

Nowadays, Thailand encounters a serious economic crisis. A clear consensus has been made that a cost-saving system must be the important tool. Both private and government organizations are engaged in this situation. We studied the cost-saving in the clinical laboratory. A questionnaire was distributed to 45 hospital laboratories located in Bangkok. Results showed that efforts to control the cost are the essential policy. There was a variety of factors contributing to the cost-saving process. The usage of public utility, non-recycle material and unnecessary utility were reconsidered. Besides, capital cost (wages and salary) personnel incentive are assessed. Forty three of the 45 respondents had attempted to reduce the cost via curtailing the unnecessary electricity. Eliminating the needless usage of telephone-call. water and unnecessary material was also an effective strategy. A reduction of 86.9%, 80 % and 80.0% of the mentioned factors respectively, was reported. An inventory system of the reagent, chemical and supplies was focused. Most of the laboratories have a policy on cost-saving by decreased the storage. Twenty eight of the 45 laboratories considered to purchase the cheaper with similar quality reagents instead. And some one would purchase a bulky pack when it is the best bargain. A specific system "contact reagent with a free rent instrument" has been used widely (33.3%). Finally, a new personnel management system has been chosen. Workload has rearranged and unnecessary extra-hour work was abandoned.

Coagulorama especial (CE): evaluación de la hemostasia en el laboratorio / Special coagulogram (CE): evaluation of the hemostasis in laboratory

MARCO TEORICO: En la última década en el Hospital ABC hemos observado un aumento en el número de pacientes que requieren terapia intensiva, se ha incrementado el número de pacientes con padecimientos oncológicos. Adicionalmente se ha iniciado la trombolisis del infarto agudo del miocardio y se ha implementado un programa de cirugía cardiovascular. En consecuencia el laboratorio ha tenido que ampliar sus estrategias para el estudio de los trastornos de la hemostasia. OBJETIVO: Conocer la frecuencia con que se indican las pruebas especiales de la coagulación en el laboratorio clínico del Hospital ABC así como las alteraciones más frecuentes encontradas. TIPO DE ESTUDIO: Investigación clínica, retrosp[ectiva, observacional, comparativa de un período anual de pacientes a quienes se les realizaron estudios especiales de la coagulación en forma integrada como un coagulogama especial (CE). RESULTADOS: Se estudiaron 67 pacientes a los que se les realizaron un total de 98 (CE). La mayoría de los estudios se realizaron en pacientes ambulatorios (63.2 por ciento). A 62 pacientes se les solicitó 1 solo estudio (Grupo 1), a 36 se les indicaron 2 o más (Grupo 2). En el primer grupo la alteración más frecuente fue hipercoagulabilidad (p<0.001). En el segundo grupo se encontró que la alteración más frecuente fue la deficiencia de factores (p<0.025). un 27 por ciento de los estudios fueron completamente normales. CONCLUSIONES: El coagulograma especial es un "perfil" que además de ser costoso para el paciente, resulta muy laborioso para el personal de laboratorio. El haber encontrado que un 27 por iento de los estudios fueron completamente normales nos obliga a insistir que esta batería de estudios solo se debe indicar cuando el coagulograma de rutina o el estado clínico del paciente hagan sospechar alteraciones específicas tales como la hipercoagulabilidad, la presencia de anticoagulante o la deficiencia de factores. Es necesario oncluir un resumen clínico a la solicitud de los estudios para que en el laboratorio se puedan optimizar las estrategias diagnósticas del estudio.

Contribuiçäo para o estudo dos custos unitários de análises bioquímicas quantitativas realizadas, pelo processo manual e pelo processo automático no laboratório de análises clínicas do Hospital Universitário da Universidade de Säo Paulo, em 1989 / Contribution to the study of unitary costs for quantitative biochemical analysis by an manual procedure and by an automatized process in the clinical analysis laboratory of University Hospital. Säo Paulo, 1989

Elaboraçäo e teste de uma metodologia para comparar custos diretos unitários de análises bioquímicas quantitativas em processo manual e em processo automático no Laboratório de Análises Clínicas do Hospital Universitário da USP. Foram estudados 7 tipos de análise - glicose, creatinina, uréia, sódio & potássio, ácido úrico, proteínas totais e cálcio. Adequou-se uma metodologia para avaliar o custo unitário direto total de cada um e conhecer qual processo apresentava os menores valores. Procurou-se constatar se o equipamento utilizado no processo automático era adequado à rotina do HU e determinar o tempo teórico despendido por ambos os processos. Verificou-se que os custos unitários diretos totais do processo manual foram menores que os do processo automático. Foi constatado, pela comparaçäo do tempo teórico despendido, se as análises dos 7 tipos fossem realizadas por ambos os processos, que o processo automático teria gasto menor que o processo manual na realizaçäo das duas etapas. Realizada a comparaçäo do custo unitário direto total de cada um dos processos verificou-se que o processo automático, teria para a maioria das análises um custo unitário direto total maior que o do processo manual

Costo-efectividad de las aglutinaciones en placa para fiebre tifoidea y brucelosis como examen de laboratorio de rutia en los Servicios de Hospitalización de medicina del Hospital Nacional Cayetano Heredia

El presente trabajo es un estudio retrospectivo realizado en los pacientes hospitalizados en los Servicios de Medicina del Hospital Nacional Cayetano Heredia durante el año 1988. Demostramos que las pruebas de aglutinación para tífico O y H son adecuadamente específicas pero poco sensibles y que no está justificado el pedirlas juntas, además que la eficacia de las pruebas y su relación costo-efectividad mejorarían si se seleccionaran primero a los pacientes según parámetros clínicos sencillos. En nuestro hospital la prueba de aglutinación en placa para brucelosis es altamente sensible y específica siendo útil en la detección de los pacientes en los que erradamente no se sospecha brucelosis. En ningún de los casos la repetición de las pruebas está justificada y además esta conducta no es costo-efectiva