BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: In a previous study we showed that compliance with evidence-based guidelines improves the health outcome of stroke patients in terms of both survival and residual disability. In this analysis, we shall investigate the impact of such guidelines on healthcare costs during the acute/sub-acute hospitalisation phase. METHOD: we considered the direct costs from the hospital's point of view, where funding is provided by the National Healthcare System. We did not consider production loss or intangible costs related to the decreased quality of life. Data was collected on both costs and guideline compliance prospectively, and the relationship between them was studied through a multivariate statistical model. RESULTS: Patients treated according to guidelines result in lower costs; on average they have a shorter length of stay in hospital (10.8 versus 12.9 days), leading to a significant difference in the consumption of hospital resources. On a level of statistical analysis, guideline compliance is a significant independent indicator of cost, together with the patient's initial disability and neurological deficit.
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: In a previous study we showed that compliance with evidence-based guidelines improves the health outcome of strokepatients in terms of both survival and residual disability. In this analysis, we shall investigate the impact of such guidelines on healthcare costs during the acute/sub-acute hospitalisation phase. METHOD: we considered the direct costs from the hospital's point of view, where funding is provided by the National Healthcare System. We did not consider production loss or intangible costs related to the decreased quality of life. Data was collected on both costs and guideline compliance prospectively, and the relationship between them was studied through a multivariate statistical model. RESULTS:Patients treated according to guidelines result in lower costs; on average they have a shorter length of stay in hospital (10.8 versus 12.9 days), leading to a significant difference in the consumption of hospital resources. On a level of statistical analysis, guideline compliance is a significant independent indicator of cost, together with the patient's initial disability and neurological deficit.
Authors: Seth A Strope; John T Wei; Alexandria Smith; Timothy J Wilt; Christopher S Saigal; Sean P Elliott Journal: Urology Date: 2012-05-18 Impact factor: 2.649
Authors: Thabele M Leslie-Mazwi; Thomas G Brott; Robert D Brown; Bradford B Worrall; Scott L Silliman; L Douglas Case; Michael R Frankel; Stephen S Rich; James F Meschia Journal: J Stroke Cerebrovasc Dis Date: 2007 Sep-Oct Impact factor: 2.136
Authors: Thomas Rotter; Joachim Kugler; Rainer Koch; Holger Gothe; Sabine Twork; Jeroen M van Oostrum; Ewout W Steyerberg Journal: BMC Health Serv Res Date: 2008-12-19 Impact factor: 2.655