The operational cost of a urology unit.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the operational cost of a urology unit, individual cost for certain index operations in urology, and to develop a framework to audit finances of a unit. DESIGN: A financial audit. SETTING: Urology unit in a teaching hospital. METHODS: Data of cost in providing urology services during one month were collected. It included three main areas: ward, operating theatre and outpatient clinic. Direct costs included staff wages, drugs, consumables, investigations and food. Indirect expenses such as administration, water, electricity and cleaning services were also calculated. For each type of operation a relative value was assigned depending on the nature of the operation. When direct expenses were not available, the hospital was divided into different cost centres and apportioning of the cost was done accordingly. RESULTS: The monthly operational cost of running a 19 bed urology unit with three operating sessions a week was Rs. 1 294 259. Staff wages constituted 61.2% of the cost. The cost of performing a pyelolithotomy was Rs. 18 669. Transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) was done at a cost of Rs. 21 271. CONCLUSION: When the basic principles and the framework are understood, clinicians can perform financial audit and cost analysis of their units.

Significance of recent onset nocturnal enuresis in adult men: a prospective study.

INTRODUCTION: Although literature on childhood nocturnal enuresis and its persistence into adulthood is abundant, recent onset nocturnal enuresis in adults is a poorly studied symptom. OBJECTIVE: To determine the significance of recent onset nocturnal enuresis in adult males in relation to lower urinary tract pathology, and its treatment. METHODS: All men with recent onset nocturnal enuresis attending a urology unit over a period of 12 months were evaluated prospectively. Their treatment and outcome were recorded. RESULTS: There were 30 patients (mean age 64 years). Ultrasonography revealed upper urinary tract dilatation in 22 patients. Another six patients had post-void residual urine volume over 500 mL without upper tract dilatation. Only two patients did not have ultrasonographic evidence of bladder outflow obstruction. Elevated blood urea was noted in 14 patients. Twenty patients underwent transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) and one patient with balanitis xerotica obliterans had circumcision and meatotomy. Three patients were taught clean intermittent self catheterisation, and three patients preferred indwelling urethral catheters. One patient while awaiting TURP died of a myocardial infarction. Eight patients, who were treated with alpha-adrenergic antagonists initially, required further intervention later as the response to medical therapy was poor. CONCLUSIONS: Recent onset nocturnal enuresis in adult males is a symptom closely associated with significant lower urinary tract pathology requiring early urological intervention. Considering its impact on management it is reasonable to classify recent onset nocturnal enuresis as a lower urinary tract symptom in adult men and including it in symptom scores used to assess bladder outflow obstruction.