Costes de las terapias de las enfermedades neurodegenerativas: aplicación de un sistema de costes basado en las actividades / Cost of therapy for neurodegenerative diseases. Applying an activity-based costing system

Objetivo: Aplicar el modelo de costes basado en las actividades (ABC) para calcular el coste de las terapias de las enfermedades neurodegenerativas, información que debería ser un instrumento para mejorar la gestión del hospital y conseguir una asignación de recursos más eficiente. Métodos: Se utilizó el método del estudio de casos (tomando como caso estudiado el hospital de día del Centro Sociosanitario Francolí). Se aplicaron todas las fases de un sistema ABC. Se identificaron 60 actividades y se trató la información correspondiente al mes de junio de 2009 para determinar el coste de las terapias aplicadas en dicho centro. Resultados: El sistema ABC permite realizar un cálculo promedio del coste por paciente vinculado a las terapias que se le aplican. Para el caso analizado, la terapia de psicoestimulación es la más costosa y, al mismo tiempo, la más aplicada. Incidir en ella y en las actividades relacionadas con el proceso de ingreso podría comportar un ahorro importante de recursos. Conclusión: La aplicación del sistema ABC para el cálculo de costes se adapta a la estructura de los centros sanitarios y al funcionamiento basado en protocolos de actuación. Permite determinar costes de cada actividad y terapia, o combinación de terapias, y facilita las actuaciones para mejorar la gestión (AU)

Objective: To apply the activity based costing (ABC) model to calculate the cost of therapy for neurodegenerative disorders in order to improve hospital management and allocate resources more efficiently. Method: We used the case study method in the Francolí long-term care day center. We applied all phases of an ABC system to quantify the cost of the activities developed in the center. We identified 60 activities; the information was collected in June 2009. Results: The ABC system allowed us to calculate the average cost per patient with respect to the therapies received. The most costly and commonly applied technique was psycho-stimulation therapy. Focusing on this therapy and on others related to the admissions process could lead to significant cost savings. Conclusions: ABC costing is a viable method for costing activities and therapies in long-term day care centers because it can be adapted to their structure and standard practice. This type of costing allows the costs of each activity and therapy, or combination of therapies, to be determined and aids measures to improve management (AU)

[Cost of therapy for neurodegenerative diseases. Applying an activity-based costing system]. / Costes de las terapias de las enfermedades neurodegenerativas: aplicación de un sistema de costes basado en las actividades.

OBJECTIVE: To apply the activity based costing (ABC) model to calculate the cost of therapy for neurodegenerative disorders in order to improve hospital management and allocate resources more efficiently. METHOD: We used the case study method in the Francolí long-term care day center. We applied all phases of an ABC system to quantify the cost of the activities developed in the center. We identified 60 activities; the information was collected in June 2009. RESULTS: The ABC system allowed us to calculate the average cost per patient with respect to the therapies received. The most costly and commonly applied technique was psycho-stimulation therapy. Focusing on this therapy and on others related to the admissions process could lead to significant cost savings. CONCLUSIONS: ABC costing is a viable method for costing activities and therapies in long-term day care centers because it can be adapted to their structure and standard practice. This type of costing allows the costs of each activity and therapy, or combination of therapies, to be determined and aids measures to improve management.