Medical costs of Swedish nursing home residents at the end of life: a retrospective observational registry study.

BACKGROUND: There are many studies of medical costs in late life in general, but nursing home residents' needs and the costs of external medical services and interventions outside of nursing home services are less well described. METHODS: We examined the direct medical costs of nursing home residents in their last year of life, as well as limited to the period of stay in the nursing home, adjusted for age, sex, Hospital Frailty Risk Score (HFRS), and diagnosis of dementia or advanced cancer. This was an observational retrospective study of registry data from all diseased nursing home residents during the years 2015-2021 using healthcare consumption data from the Stockholm Regional Council, Sweden. T tests, Wilcoxon rank sum tests and chi-square tests were used for comparisons of groups, and generalized linear models (GLMs) were constructed for univariable and multivariable linear regressions of health cost expenditures to calculate risk ratios (RRs) with 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs). RESULTS: According to the adjusted (multivariable) models for the 38,805 studied nursing home decedents, when studying the actual period of stay in nursing homes, we found significantly greater medical costs associated with male sex (RR 1.29 (1.25-1.33), p < 0.0001) and younger age (65-79 years vs. ≥90 years: RR 1.92 (1.85-2.01), p < 0.0001). Costs were also greater for those at risk of frailty according to the Hospital Frailty Risk Score (HFRS) (intermediate risk: RR 3.63 (3.52-3.75), p < 0.0001; high risk: RR 7.84 (7.53-8.16), p < 0.0001); or with advanced cancer (RR 2.41 (2.26-2.57), p < 0.0001), while dementia was associated with lower medical costs (RR 0.54 (0.52-0.55), p < 0.0001). The figures were similar when calculating the costs for the entire last year of life (regardless of whether they were nursing home residents throughout the year). CONCLUSIONS: Despite any obvious explanatory factors, male and younger residents had higher medical costs at the end of life than women. Having a risk of frailty or a diagnosis of advanced cancer was strongly associated with higher costs, whereas a dementia diagnosis was associated with lower external, medical costs. These findings could lead us to consider reimbursement models that could be differentiated based on the observed differences.

Implementation, intervention, and downstream costs for implementation of a multidisciplinary complex pain clinic in the Veterans Health Administration.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the budget impact of implementing multidisciplinary complex pain clinics (MCPCs) for Veterans Health Administration (VA) patients living with complex chronic pain and substance use disorder comorbidities who are on risky opioid regimens. DATA SOURCES AND STUDY SETTING: We measured implementation costs for three MCPCs over 2 years using micro-costing methods. Intervention and downstream costs were obtained from the VA Managerial Cost Accounting System from 2 years prior to 2 years after opening of MCPCs. STUDY DESIGN: Staff at the three VA sites implementing MCPCs were supported by Implementation Facilitation. The intervention cohort was patients at MCPC sites who received treatment based on their history of chronic pain and risky opioid use. Intervention costs and downstream costs were estimated with a quasi-experimental study design using a propensity score-weighted difference-in-difference approach. The healthcare utilization costs of treated patients were compared with a control group having clinically similar characteristics and undergoing the standard route of care at neighboring VA medical centers. Cancer and hospice patients were excluded. DATA COLLECTION/EXTRACTION METHODS: Activity-based costing data acquired from MCPC sites were used to estimate implementation costs. Intervention and downstream costs were extracted from VA administrative data. PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: Average Implementation Facilitation costs ranged from $380 to $640 per month for each site. Upon opening of three MCPCs, average intervention costs per patient were significantly higher than the control group at two intervention sites. Downstream costs were significantly higher at only one of three intervention sites. Site-level differences were due to variation in inpatient costs, with some confounding likely due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This evidence suggests that necessary start-up investments are required to initiate MCPCs, with allocations of funds needed for implementation, intervention, and downstream costs. CONCLUSIONS: Incorporating implementation, intervention, and downstream costs in this evaluation provides a thorough budget impact analysis, which decision-makers may use when considering whether to expand effective programming.

Burden of disease and direct costs to the health system attributable to high body mass index in Brazil.

OBJECTIVES: Excess weight, measured by a high body mass index (BMI), is associated with the onset of many diseases, which can, in turn, lead to disability and premature death, subsequently placing a significant burden on healthcare services. This study analysed the burden of disease and the direct costs to the Brazilian Unified Health System (Sistema Único de Saúde [SUS]) attributable to high BMI in the Brazilian population. STUDY DESIGN: Ecological study. METHODS: This ecological study had two components: (1) a time-series assessment to analyse the burden of diseases attributable to high BMI from 1990 to 2019 in Brazil; and (2) a cross-sectional design to estimate the direct costs of SUS hospitalisations and outpatient procedures attributable to high BMI in 2019. Estimates from the Global Burden of Disease study and the costs of hospital admissions and outpatient procedures from the Department of Informatics of the Brazilian Unified Health System were used. Deaths, years of life lost to premature death (YLLs), years lived with disability (YLDs), and years of life lost adjusted for disability (DALYs) were analysed. The direct health cost was obtained in Brazilian Real (R$) and converted in international Dollars (INT$). RESULTS: The current study found a reduction in the number of DALYs, YLLs, and deaths per 100,000 population of cardiovascular disease (CVD) attributable to high BMI and an increase in YLD due to diabetes and cardiovascular disease attributable to high BMI from 1990 to 2019. In 2019, high BMI resulted in 2404 DALYs, 658 YLDs, 1746 YLLs, and 76 deaths per 100,000 inhabitants. In the same year, INT$377.30 million was spent on hospitalisations and high- and medium-complexity procedures to control non-communicable diseases attributable to high BMI. The states in the South and Southeast regions of Brazil presented the highest total cost per 10,000 inhabitants. CVDs and chronic kidney disease showed the highest costs per hospital admission, whereas neoplasms and CVDs presented the highest costs for outpatient procedures. CONCLUSIONS: High BMI causes significant disease burden and financial costs. The highest expenses observed were not in locations with the highest burden of disease attributable to high BMI. These findings highlight the need to improve current public policies and apply cost-effective intervention packages, focussing on equity and the promotion of healthier lifestyles to reduce overweight/obesity, especially in localities with low socioeconomic status.

Estimation of the direct health and indirect societal costs of diabetes in the UK using a cost of illness model.

AIMS: The direct cost of diabetes to the UK health system was estimated at around £10 billion in 2012. This analysis updates that estimate using more recent and accurate data sources. METHODS: A pragmatic review of relevant data sources for UK nations was conducted, including population-level data sets and published literature, to generate estimates of costs separately for Type 1, Type 2 and gestational diabetes. A comprehensive cost framework, developed in collaboration with experts, was used to create a population-based cost of illness model. The key driver of the analysis was prevalence of diabetes and its complications. Estimates were made of the excess costs of diagnosis, treatment and diabetes-related complications compared with the general UK population. Estimates of the indirect costs of diabetes focused on productivity losses due to absenteeism and premature mortality. RESULTS: The direct costs of diabetes in 2021/22 for the UK were estimated at £10.7 billion, of which just over 40% related to diagnosis and treatment, with the rest relating to the excess costs of complications. Indirect costs were estimated at £3.3 billion. CONCLUSIONS: Diabetes remains a considerable cost burden in the UK, and the majority of those costs are still spent on potentially preventable complications. Although rates of some complications are reducing, prevalence continues to increase and effective approaches to primary and secondary prevention continue to be needed. Improvements in data capture, data quality and reporting, and further research on the human and financial implications of increasing incidence of Type 2 diabetes in younger people are recommended.

The cost of providing care by family and friends (informal care) in the last year of life: A population observational study.

INTRODUCTION: Little is known about replacement costs of care provided by informal carers during the last year of life for people dying of cancer and non-cancer diseases. AIM: To estimate informal caregiving costs and explore the relationship with carer and decedent characteristics. DESIGN: National observational study of bereaved carers. Questions included informal end-of-life caregiving into the 2017 Health Survey for England including estimated recalled frequency, duration and intensity of care provision. We estimated replacement costs for a decedent's last year of life valuing time at the price of a substitutable activity. Spearman rank correlations and multivariable linear regression were used to explore relationships with last year of life costs. SETTING/PARTICIPANTS: Adult national survey respondents - England. RESULTS: A total of 7997 adults were interviewed from 5767/9612 (60%) of invited households. Estimated replacement costs of personal care and other help were £27,072 and £13,697 per carer and a national cost of £13.2 billion and £15.5 billion respectively. Longer care duration and intensity, older age, death at home (lived together), non-cancer cause of death and greater deprivation were associated with increased costs. Female sex, and not accessing 'other care services' were related to higher costs for other help only. CONCLUSION: We provide a first adult general population estimate for replacement informal care costs in the last year of life of £41,000 per carer per decedent and highlight characteristics associated with greater costs. This presents a major challenge for future universal care coverage as the pool of people providing informal care diminish with an ageing population.

Forecasting the Economic Burden of Cardiovascular Disease and Stroke in the United States Through 2050: A Presidential Advisory From the American Heart Association.

BACKGROUND: Quantifying the economic burden of cardiovascular disease and stroke over the coming decades may inform policy, health system, and community-level interventions for prevention and treatment. METHODS: We used nationally representative health, economic, and demographic data to project health care costs attributable to key cardiovascular risk factors (hypertension, diabetes, hypercholesterolemia) and conditions (coronary heart disease, stroke, heart failure, atrial fibrillation) through 2050. The human capital approach was used to estimate productivity losses from morbidity and premature mortality due to cardiovascular conditions. RESULTS: One in 3 US adults received care for a cardiovascular risk factor or condition in 2020. Annual inflation-adjusted (2022 US dollars) health care costs of cardiovascular risk factors are projected to triple between 2020 and 2050, from $400 billion to $1344 billion. For cardiovascular conditions, annual health care costs are projected to almost quadruple, from $393 billion to $1490 billion, and productivity losses are projected to increase by 54%, from $234 billion to $361 billion. Stroke is projected to account for the largest absolute increase in costs. Large relative increases among the Asian American population (497%) and Hispanic American population (489%) reflect the projected increases in the size of these populations. CONCLUSIONS: The economic burden of cardiovascular risk factors and overt cardiovascular disease in the United States is projected to increase substantially in the coming decades. Development and deployment of cost-effective programs and policies to promote cardiovascular health are urgently needed to rein in costs and to equitably enhance population health.

Engagement and Resource Considerations in Developing and Implementing Mobile Health Technologies for COVID-19 Pandemic: Filipino Developers' Perspectives.

Objective: This paper aims to provide a better understanding of the different engagement, cost, and resource considerations in developing and implementing mHealth solutions in the Philippines during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: First, six participants completed a form to document the estimated costs of developing a pseudo mobile application with features to mitigate the pandemic. Second, ten key informant interviews determined the facilitators, barriers, and resource requirements in developing mHealth tools. Results: The average cost estimate to develop and roll out a mobile application with public health and epidemiology features is Php 4,018,907 (US $78,650). The analysis of the interviews resulted in 12 themes organized in three domains: 1) facilitators and barriers in developing and sustaining mHealth solutions; 2) costs of sustaining mHealth technologies; and 3) factors affecting the costs of development and maintenance of mHealth technologies. Conclusion: While differences in the cost estimates are evident, it provides a ballpark figure and the different factors that implementers need to sustain and maintain an mHealth solution. This paper hopes to inform policies and practices in engaging technology solution partners and in scaling up mHealth technologies.

Physician and informal care use explained by the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory (PedsQL) in children with suspected genetic disorders.

PURPOSE: To examine associations between Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory (PedsQL) 4.0 Generic Core Scales and PedsQL Infant Scales with formal health care resource utilization (HCRU) and informal caregiver burden. METHODS: We studied a pediatric cohort of 837 patients (median age: 8.4 years) with suspected genetic disorders enrolled January 2019 through July 2021 in the NYCKidSeq program for diagnostic sequencing. Using linked ~ nine-month longitudinal survey and physician claims data collected through May 2022, we modeled the association between baseline PedsQL scores and post-baseline HCRU (median follow-up: 21.1 months) and informal care. We also assessed the longitudinal change in PedsQL scores with physician services using linear mixed-effects models. RESULTS: Lower PedsQL total and physical health scores were independently associated with increases in 18-month physician services, encounters, and weekly informal care. Comparing low vs. median total scores, increases were 10.6 services (95% CI: 1.0-24.6), 3.3 encounters (95% CI: 0.5-6.8), and $668 (95% CI: $350-965), respectively. For the psychosocial domain, higher scores were associated with decreased informal care. Based on adjusted linear mixed-effects modeling, every additional ten physician services was associated with diminished improvement in longitudinal PedsQL total score trajectories by 1.1 point (95% confidence interval: 0.6-1.6) on average. Similar trends were observed in the physical and psychosocial domains. CONCLUSION: PedsQL scores were independently associated with higher utilization of physician services and informal care. Moreover, longitudinal trajectories of PedsQL scores became less favorable with increased physician services. Adding PedsQL survey instruments to conventional measures for improved risk stratification should be evaluated in further research.

The Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory (PedsQL) is widely used to measure health-related quality of life in pediatric patients; however, few studies have examined whether the PedsQL is indicative of longitudinal outcomes of morbidity and health care needs. This study captures associations between PedsQL scores with utilization of physician and informal care in children with suspected genetic disorders. We demonstrate that lower PedsQL total and physical health scores are independently associated with greater utilization of physician services and informal care. Moreover, longitudinal trajectories of PedsQL scores become less favorable with increased physician services. Results can inform future applications of PedsQL instruments.

Disability and costs of IHD attributable to the consumption of trans-fatty acids in Brazil.

OBJECTIVE: To estimate the disability and costs of the Brazilian Unified Health System for IHD attributable to trans-fatty acid (TFA) consumption in 2019. DESIGN: This ecological study used secondary data from the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) Study 2019 to estimate the years lived with disability from IHD attributable to TFA in Brazil in 2019. Data on direct costs (purchasing power parity: 1 Int$ = R$ 2·280) were obtained from the Hospital and Ambulatory Information Systems of the Brazilian Unified Health System. Moreover, the total costs in each state were divided by the resident population in 2019 and multiplied by 10 000 inhabitants. The relationship between the socio-demographic index, disease and economic burden was investigated. SETTING: Brazil and its twenty-seven states. PARTICIPANTS: Adults aged ≥ 25 years of both sexes. RESULTS: IHD attributable to TFA consumption resulted in 11 165 years lived with disability (95 % uncertainty interval 932­18 462) in 2019 in Brazil. A total of Int$ 54 546 227 (95 % uncertainty interval 4 505 792­85 561 810) was spent in the Brazilian Unified Health System in 2019 due to IHD attributable to TFA, with the highest costs of hospitalisations, for males and individuals aged ≥ 50 years or over. The highest costs were observed in Sergipe (Int$ 6508/10 000; 95 % uncertainty interval 576­10 265), followed by the two states from the South. Overall, as the socio-demographic index increases, expenditures increase. CONCLUSIONS: TFA consumption results in a high disease and economic IHD burden in Brazil, reinforcing the need for more effective health policies, such as industrial TFA elimination, following the international agenda.

Development and implementation of ambulatory care pharmacy services at an internal medicine clinic.

DISCLAIMER: In an effort to expedite the publication of articles, AJHP is posting manuscripts online as soon as possible after acceptance. Accepted manuscripts have been peer-reviewed and copyedited, but are posted online before technical formatting and author proofing. These manuscripts are not the final version of record and will be replaced with the final article (formatted per AJHP style and proofed by the authors) at a later time. PURPOSE: This report describes the step-by-step process that led to expansion of ambulatory care pharmacy services at a newly established internal medicine clinic within a patient-centered medical home in North Carolina. SUMMARY: Implementation of clinical pharmacist services at the clinic was led by a postgraduate year 2 (PGY2) pharmacy resident and guided by the 9 steps described in the book Building a Successful Ambulatory Care Practice: A Complete Guide for Pharmacists. After a needs assessment and review of the demographics and insurance status of the clinic's target population, it was determined that pharmacist services would focus on quality measures including diabetes nephropathy screening, diabetes eye examination, blood glucose control in diabetes, discharge medication reconciliation, annual wellness visits, and medication adherence in diabetes, hypercholesterolemia, and hypertension. Clinic appointments were conducted under 3 models: a pharmacist-physician covisit model, a "floor model" of pharmacist consultation on drug information or medication management issues during medical resident sign-out sessions with supervising physicians (medical residents could also see patients along with the pharmacist at a covisit appointment), and a covisit model of stacked physician and pharmacist appointments. The pharmacist's services were expanded from 2 half-day clinic sessions per week initially to 5 or 6 half-day clinic sessions by the end of the residency year. CONCLUSION: By the fourth quarter of the first PGY2 residency year in which ambulatory care pharmacy services were provided in the clinic, the clinical and financial impact of those services justified the addition of a second full-time pharmacist to the clinic team.

A quality appraisal of economic evaluations of community water fluoridation: A systematic review.

OBJECTIVES: To critically appraise the methodological conduct and reporting quality of economic evaluations (EE) of community water fluoridation (CWF). METHODS: A systematic literature search was conducted in general databases and specialist directories of the economic literature. The Consensus on Health Economic Criteria list (CHEC) appraised the methodological quality while the Consolidated Health Economic Evaluation Reporting Standards (CHEERS) assessed the reporting quality of included studies. RESULTS: A total of 1,138 records were identified, of which 18 met the inclusion criteria. Cost analysis emerged as the most prevalent type of EE, though a growing trend towards conducting full EEs is observed. CHEC revealed the items most frequently unfulfilled were the study design, measurement and valuation of costs and outcomes, while CHEERS also identified reporting deficiencies in these aspects. Furthermore, the review highlights subtleties in methodological aspects that may not be discerned by CHEC, such as the estimation of the impact of fluoridation and the inclusion of treatment savings within cost estimates. CONCLUSIONS: While numerous studies were conducted before publication of these assessment instruments, this review reveals that a noteworthy subset of studies exhibited good methodological conduct and reporting quality. There has been a steady improvement in the methodological and reporting quality over time, with recently published EEs largely adhering to best practice guidelines. The evidence presented will assist policymakers in leveraging the available evidence effectively to inform resource allocation decisions. It may also serve as a resource for researchers to enhance the methodological and reporting standards of future EEs of CWF.

3D printing vs traditional workflow for the fabrication of mandibular implant overdentures: study protocol for a mixed-methods cross-over RCT.

BACKGROUND: Complete tooth loss is a significant global oral health issue, particularly impacting older individuals with lower socioeconomic status. Computer-assisted technologies enhance oral healthcare access by the elderly. Despite promising in vitro reports on digital denture materials, evidence from randomized clinical trials (RCTs) is lacking to verify their performance. This cross-over RCT will investigate whether 3D-printed implant-retained mandibular overdentures (IMO) are more satisfactory for edentulous seniors than those made through traditional methods. METHODS/DESIGN: We will recruit 26 completely edentulous participants (any sex/gender) based on the following eligibility criteria: age ≥ 60 years, no tooth extraction in the past 12 months, two implants in the lower jaw, and need for new dentures in both jaws. Each participant will receive two denture pairs, either manufactured by 3D printing or traditionally, to be worn in a random order. A timeline of 3 months with each denture pair will be considered for outcome assessment (total: 6 months). Patient satisfaction with dentures will be measured by the McGill Denture Satisfaction Questionnaire. We will evaluate other patient-reported outcomes (including oral health-related quality of life) as well as clinician-assessed quality and cost. At the end of the trial, participants will choose which denture pair they wish to keep and interviewed about their experiences with the 3D-printed IMO. The quantitative and qualitative data will be incorporated through an explanatory mixed-methods strategy. A final quantitative assessment will happen after 12 months with the preferred IMO to assess the long-term performance and maintenance needs. DISCUSSION: This mixed-methods RCT will explore patient experiences with 3D-printed IMOs, aiming to assess the potential for altering clinical practice and dental public health policies. Our results will inform policies by showing whether 3D printing offers comparable outcomes at lower costs, facilitating greater access to oral care for the elderly. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT06155630, Registered on 04 December 2023. https://classic. CLINICALTRIALS: gov/ct2/show/NCT06155630.

Costs and benefits of scaling psychosocial interventions during the perinatal period in England: A simulation modelling study.

BACKGROUND: Globally, guidance recommends the integration of mental health into maternal and child healthcare to address common maternal mental health problems during the perinatal period. However, implementing this in the real-world requires substantial resource allocations. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to estimate the likely costs and consequences linked to scaling the delivery of treatment (in the form of psychosocial interventions) during the perinatal period. DESIGN: Simulation modelling. SETTING(S): England. METHODS: Costs and consequences were modelled for three scenarios of assumed provision of services, whereby one referred to the projected provision under current government plans, with no additional scaling up of treatment. The other two scenarios referred to additional scaling of treatment: in one scenario, this referred to the provision of treatment by midwives and health visitors trained in the routine enquiry about mental health and delivery of psychosocial interventions; in the other scenario this referred to an expanded provision by primary mental health services. For each scenario and in yearly intervals (covering a ten-year period, 2015 to 2024), unit cots and outcomes were assigned to the activities women were assumed to receive (routine enquiry, assessment, treatment, care coordination). All costs were in 2020 pounds sterling. Data sources for the modelling included: published findings from randomised controlled trials; national unit cost source; national statistics; and expert consultation. RESULTS: If the projected treatment gap was to be addressed, an estimated additional 111,154 (50,031) women would be accessing treatment in 2015 (2024). Estimated total costs (including cost offsets) in the scenario of projected provision under current government plans would be £73.5 million in 2015 and £95.2 million in 2024, whilst quality-adjusted life years gained would be 901 and 928 respectively. Addressing the treatment gap through provision by trained midwives and health visitors could mean additional costs of £7.3 million in 2015 but lower costs of £18.4 million in 2024. The additional quality-adjusted life years gained are estimated at 2096 in 2015 and 1418 in 2024. A scenario in which the treatment gap would be met by primary mental health services was likely to be more costly and delivered less health gains. CONCLUSIONS: Findings from this modelling study suggest that scaling the integration of mental health care into routinely delivered care for women during the perinatal period might be economically viable. REGISTRATION: N/A. TWEETABLE ABSTRACT: Integrating mental health into maternal and child healthcare might generate economic benefits new study by @a_annettemaria and @knappem @CPEC_LSE finds #increasing access to treatment for women with perinatal mental health problems.

Cost analysis of orthognathic surgery: outpatient care versus inpatient care.

With limited healthcare resources, it is important to provide the right level and form of care. The aim of this study was to determine whether selected single-jaw orthognathic surgery in outpatient care (OPC) generates lower healthcare costs than in inpatient care (IPC). The costs of surgically assisted rapid maxillary expansion (SARME), Le Fort I osteotomy (LFI), and bilateral sagittal split osteotomy (BSSO) were calculated for 165 patients, 107 treated in OPC and 58 in IPC. Additionally, costs for revisits, emergency visits, emergency phone calls, re-operations, and plate removal during the first 12 months postoperatively were recorded. The total mean costs of the different operations including revisits, emergency visits, and phone calls were 34.2-48.8% lower in OPC than in IPC at 12 months postoperatively. Operation costs were lower for LFI in OPC (P = 0.009) and for SARME in IPC (P = 0.007). Anaesthesia costs were lower for LFI (P < 0.001) and BSSO (P < 0.001) in OPC, and there were fewer revisits (P = 0.001) and lower costs (P = 0.002) after LFI in OPC compared to IPC. This study showed that selected single-jaw orthognathic surgeries in outpatient care are associated with lower healthcare costs compared to inpatient care.

The Cost of Ambulatory Breast Reduction: Hospital Reimbursement Versus Surgeon Payments.

Introduction: Reduction mammoplasty (RM) is one of the most common operations performed in plastic surgery. While US national surgical expenditures have risen in recent years, studies have reported decreasing reimbursement rates for plastic surgeons. The purpose of this study is to characterize the trends in charges and payments for a common plastic surgery operation, ambulatory RM, for facilities and physicians. Methods: A Medicare patient records database was used to capture hospital, surgeon, and anesthesiologist charges and payments for ambulatory RM from 2005 to 2014. Values were adjusted for inflation. A ratio of hospital to surgeon charges and payments were calculated: charge multiplier (CM) and payment multiplier (PM), respectively. Charges, payments, Charlson comorbidity index, CM, and PM values were analyzed for trends. Results: This study included 1001 patients. During the study period, the facility charge for RM per patient increased from $8477 to $11,102 (31% increase; p < .0005), and the surgeon charge increased from $7088 to $7199 (2% increase; p = .0009). Facility payments increased from $3661 to $3930 (7% increase; p < .0005), and surgeon payments decreased from $1178 to $1002 (15% decrease; p < .0005). CM increased from 1.2 to 1.54, and PM increased from 3.11 to 3.92. Conclusions: Charges and payments to facilities for ambulatory RM increased disproportionately to that of surgeons, likely due in part to rising administrative costs in health care delivery. This may disincentivize plastic surgeons from offering RM at hospital-based surgical centers, limiting patient access to this operation.

Introduction: La mammoplastie de réduction (MR) est l'une des interventions les plus courantes pratiquées en chirurgie plastique. Alors que les dépenses chirurgicales aux États-Unis ont augmenté au niveau national au cours des dernières années, les études ont signalé une diminution des taux de remboursement pour les chirurgiens plasticiens. L'objectif de cette étude est de définir les tendances dans les frais et paiements pour une intervention courante de chirurgie plastique, une MR ambulatoire, pour les établissements et pour les médecins. Méthodes: Une base de données des dossiers de patients Medicare a été utilisée pour collecter les frais pour les hôpitaux, les chirurgiens et les anesthésiologistes ainsi que les paiements pour MR ambulatoires de 2005 à 2014. Les valeurs ont été ajustées pour tenir compte de l'inflation. Des ratios des frais hôpital/chirurgien et des paiements ont été calculés : respectivement, un facteur de multiplication des frais (MF) et des paiements (MP). Les tendances de la valeur des frais, des paiements, de l'indice de comorbidité de Charlson, du MF et du MP ont été analysées. Résultats: Cette étude a inclus 1001 patients. Au cours de la période de l'étude, les frais pour MR par patient à la charge de l'établissement ont augmenté de 8 477 $ à 11 102 $, soit une augmentation de 31 % (P < 0,0005) et les frais du chirurgien sont passés de 7 088 $ à 7 199 $, soit une augmentation de 2 % (P = 0,0009). Les paiements de l'établissement ont augmenté de 3 661 $ à 3 930 $, soit une augmentation de 7 % (P < 0,0005) et les paiements du chirurgien ont diminué de 1 178 $ à 1 002 $, soit une diminution de 15 % (P < 0,0005). Le facteur MF est passé de 1,2 à 1,54 et le facteur MP est passé de 3,11 à 3,92. Conclusions: Les frais et paiements aux établissements pour MR ambulatoire ont augmenté de manière disproportionnée par rapport à ceux des chirurgiens, probablement en partie à cause de l'augmentation des coûts administratifs croissants de l'administration des soins. Cela pourrait inciter les chirurgiens plasticiens à ne plus offrir de MR dans les centres chirurgicaux hospitaliers et pourrait donc limiter l'accès des patients à cette opération.

Optimizing theatre utilization for abscess drainage: going beyond priority categories.

BACKGROUND: Day-only emergency surgery for abscess drainage is poorly implemented in Australia. This study assessed the feasibility, outcomes, cost, and impact of an acute day-only surgery (ADOS) program. METHOD: A retrospective pre-post implementation study of patients requiring abscess drainage in theatre was performed. Following implementation of an ADOS program for abscess management, eligible patients were discharged from the emergency department and prioritized first on the following day's emergency list. Outcomes from the first 12 months of the ADOS era were compared with those of the preceding 6 months (pre-ADOS). Primary outcome was length of hospital stay (LOS). Secondary outcomes included 30-day complications, admission costs, and impact on overall emergency theatre workflow (measured by emergency appendicectomy metrics). RESULTS: Overall, 266 patients during the ADOS era (including 95 eligible for the ADOS pathway) were compared with 115 patients during the pre-ADOS era. Baseline characteristics were comparable. Median LOS was shorter during the ADOS era (21.9 h (IQR 11.8-43.3) vs. 30.1 h (IQR 24.7-48.8), P < 0.001). Median LOS was 10.2 h (IQR 8.9-13.1) for patients on the ADOS pathway. There were no significant differences in 30-day complications (9.3% vs. 9.5%), emergency department re-presentations (7.4% vs. 5.1%), or abscess recurrence (5.6% vs. 5.7%). Average cost per patient was lower during the ADOS era ($4155 vs. $4916, p = 0.005). ADOS did not appear to materially impact other emergency procedures. CONCLUSION: ADOS for abscess drainage is feasible, safe, and produces cost savings, while being implemented without significant additional resources.

An exploratory analysis of the cost-effectiveness of insulin glargine 300 units/mL versus insulin glargine 100 units/mL over a lifetime horizon using the BRAVO diabetes model.

BACKGROUND: This analysis assessed the cost-effectiveness of insulin glargine 300 units/mL (Gla-300) versus insulin glargine 100 units/mL (Gla-100) in insulin-naïve adults with type 2 diabetes (T2D) inadequately controlled with oral antidiabetic drugs (OADs). METHODS: Costs and outcomes for Gla-300 versus Gla-100 from a US healthcare payer perspective were assessed using the BRAVO diabetes model. Baseline clinical data were derived from EDITION-3, a 12-month randomized controlled trial comparing Gla-300 with Gla-100 in insulin-naïve adults with inadequately controlled T2D on OADs. Treatment costs were calculated based on doses observed in EDITION-3 and 2020 US net prices, while costs for complications were based on published literature. Lifetime costs ($US) and quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs) were predicted and used to calculate incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) estimates; extensive scenario and sensitivity analyses were conducted. RESULTS: Lifetime medical costs were estimated to be $353,441 and $352,858 for individuals receiving Gla-300 and Gla-100 respectively; insulin costs were $52,613 and $50,818. Gla-300 was associated with a gain of 8.97 QALYs and 21.12 life-years, while Gla-100 was associated with a gain of 8.89 QALYs and 21.07 life-years. This resulted in an ICER of $7522/QALY gained for Gla-300 versus Gla-100. Thus, Gla-300 was cost-effective versus Gla-100 based on a willingness-to-pay threshold of $50,000/QALY. Compared with Gla-100, Gla-300 provided a net monetary benefit of $3290. Scenario and sensitivity analyses confirmed the robustness of the base case. CONCLUSION: Gla-300 may be a cost-effective treatment option versus Gla-100 over a lifetime horizon for insulin-naïve people in the United States with T2D inadequately controlled on OADs.

Cost-effectiveness analysis of two interventions to promote physical activity in a multiethnic population at high risk of diabetes: an economic evaluation of the 48-month PROPELS randomized controlled trial.

INTRODUCTION: Physical activity (PA) is protective against type 2 diabetes (T2D). However, data on pragmatic long-term interventions to reduce the risk of developing T2D via increased PA are lacking. This study investigated the cost-effectiveness of a pragmatic PA intervention in a multiethnic population at high risk of T2D. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We adapted the School for Public Health Research diabetes prevention model, using the PROPELS trial data and analyses of the NAVIGATOR trial. Lifetime costs, lifetime quality-adjusted life years (QALYs), and incremental cost-effectiveness ratios (ICERs) were calculated for each intervention (Walking Away (WA) and Walking Away Plus (WA+)) versus usual care and compared with National Institute for Health and Care Excellence's willingness-to-pay of £20 000-£30 000 per QALY gained. We conducted scenario analyses on the outcomes of the PROPELS trial data and a threshold analysis to determine the change in step count that would be needed for the interventions to be cost-effective. RESULTS: Estimated lifetime costs for usual care, WA, and WA+ were £22 598, £23 018, and £22 945, respectively. Estimated QALYs were 9.323, 9.312, and 9.330, respectively. WA+ was estimated to be more effective and cheaper than WA. WA+ had an ICER of £49 273 per QALY gained versus usual care. In none of our scenario analyses did either WA or WA+ have an ICER below £20 000 per QALY gained. Our threshold analysis suggested that a PA intervention costing the same as WA+ would have an ICER below £20 000/QALY if it were to achieve an increase in step count of 500 steps per day which was 100% maintained at 4 years. CONCLUSIONS: We found that neither WA nor WA+ was cost-effective at a limit of £20 000 per QALY gained. Our threshold analysis showed that interventions to increase step count can be cost-effective at this limit if they achieve greater long-term maintenance of effect. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: ISRCTN registration: ISRCTN83465245: The PRomotion Of Physical activity through structuredEducation with differing Levels of ongoing Support for those with pre-diabetes (PROPELS)https://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN83465245.