Analysis of variations in anesthesia cost according to severity of physical status and cancer stage in colorectal cancer patients

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Since the late 2000s, the number of anesthesia performed has increased yearly. However, there has not been research into the appropriate cost of anesthesia based on the difficulty of anesthesia performed, the number of medical personnel participated, and materials administered for anesthesia. The purpose of this study was to analyze the variations in anesthesia cost according to severity of their physical status and cancer stage in patients who had undertaken colorectal cancer surgeries. METHODS: In order to analyze the cost of anesthesia for colorectal cancer surgery, we used Electronic Data Interchange data from 2011 to 2012 of the three superior general hospitals in Seoul. Colorectal cancer codes were limited to seven codes included in the cancer screening statistics of the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service. Based on these data, a frequency analysis and a multiple linear regression analysis were performed. RESULTS: There was no variation in the cost of anesthesia according to gender and age. However, the ASA physical status (PS) class and the cancer stage variables were confirmed to modify the anesthesia cost. CONCLUSIONS: These study imply that there is a difference in the technology used for anesthesia by medical personnel as well as the anesthesia related materials used according to the ASA PS and the cancer stage among patients having the same disease.