Activity and analysis of costs in a dedicated weaning centre

Submitted: January 25, 2016
Accepted: January 25, 2016
Published: January 26, 2016
Abstract Views: 719
PDF: 1433
Publisher's note
All claims expressed in this article are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of their affiliated organizations, or those of the publisher, the editors and the reviewers. Any product that may be evaluated in this article or claim that may be made by its manufacturer is not guaranteed or endorsed by the publisher.

Authors

Aim. To analyse the diagnosis-related characteristics and the costs of treating patients with difficult/prolonged weaning from mechanical ventilation we have undertaken a retrospective observational study. Methods. The study has considered all the patients admitted to our weaning unit of a regional Rehabilitation department during 3 consecutive periods since the opening date. Characteristics of the admitted patients and the DRG-related cares delivered have been recorded. A cost analysis has been obtained over time. Results. The number of beds allocated to this unit (from 4 in the 1st period to 6 in the 2nd and 3rd periods) and the number of patients cared for (from 32 to 43 and to 65, respectively) increased over time. In particular, the COPD to non-COPD patient ratio (from 2.2 to 1.3 and to 1.0) and the DRG/patient weight (from 3.0±0.3 to 3.1±0.2 and to 3.3±0.2 point) changed significantly (p<0.05). The daily reimbursement per patient from the public health care system only slightly increased, whereas the operating margin (reimbursement less costs) per patient significantly improved (from -304, to +17 and +55 €/pt/day, respectively, p<0.05) due to a gradual restriction in the variable costs. Length of stay, mortality rate and weaning rate did not change over time. Conclusion. The weaning centre is a hospital area where economic burdens should be carefully evaluated. Given the actual reimbursement received on a national level for these patients, variable costs might be better spread, thus optimising the burdens without losing out on clinical outcomes.

Dimensions

Altmetric

PlumX Metrics

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

Citations

How to Cite

Clini, E.M., P. Siddu, L. Trianni, R. Graziosi, E. Crisafulli, and M.T. Nobile. 2016. “Activity and Analysis of Costs in a Dedicated Weaning Centre”. Monaldi Archives for Chest Disease 69 (2). https://doi.org/10.4081/monaldi.2008.396.

Similar Articles

<< < 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 > >> 

You may also start an advanced similarity search for this article.