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- Title
A risk-adjusted financial model to estimate the cost of a video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery lobectomy programme.
- Authors
Brunelli, Alessandro; Tentzeris, Vasileios; Sandri, Alberto; McKenna, Alexandra; Shan Liung Liew; Milton, Richard; Chaudhuri, Nilanjan; Kefaloyannis, Emmanuel; Papagiannopoulos, Kostas
- Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To develop a clinically risk-adjusted financial model to estimate the cost associated with a video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) lobectomy programme. METHODS: Prospectively collected data of 236 VATS lobectomy patients (August 2012-December 2013) were analysed retrospectively. Fixed and variable intraoperative and postoperative costs were retrieved from the Hospital Accounting Department. Baseline and surgical variables were tested for a possible association with total cost using a multivariable linear regression and bootstrap analyses. Costs were calculated in GBP and expressed in Euros (EUR:GBP exchange rate 1.4). RESULTS: The average total cost of a VATS lobectomy was €11 368 (range €6992-€62 535). Average intraoperative (including surgical and anaesthetic time, overhead, disposable materials) and postoperative costs [including ward stay, high dependency unit (HDU) or intensive care unit (ICU) and variable costs associated with management of complications] were €8226 (range €5656-€13 296) and €3029 (range €529-€51 970), respectively. The following variables remained reliably associated with total costs after linear regression analysis and bootstrap: carbon monoxide lung diffusion capacity (DLCO) <60% predicted value (P = 0.02, bootstrap 63%) and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD; P = 0.035, bootstrap 57%). The following model was developed to estimate the total costs: 10 523 + 1894 x COPD + 2376 x DLCO < 60%. The comparison between predicted and observed costs was repeated in 1000 bootstrapped samples to verify the stability of the model. The two values were not different (P > 0.05) in 86% of the samples. A hypothetical patient with COPD and DLCO less than 60% would cost €4270 more than a patient without COPD and with higher DLCO values (€14 793 vs €10 523). CONCLUSIONS: Risk-adjusting financial data can help estimate the total cost associated with VATS lobectomy based on clinical factors. This model can be used to audit the internal financial performance of a VATS lobectomy programme for budgeting, planning and for appropriate bundled payment reimbursements.
- Subjects
CHEST endoscopic surgery; VIDEO-assisted thoracic surgery; LOBECTOMY (Lung surgery); MEDICAL care costs; INTENSIVE care units
- Publication
European Journal of Cardio-Thoracic Surgery, 2016, Vol 49, Issue 5, p1492
- ISSN
1010-7940
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.1093/ejcts/ezv339