PURPOSE: To estimate the averaged cost of processing a corneal graft for keratoplasty. METHODS: We estimated the total running costs of a German corneal bank for one year. All procurement-related expenses were calculated on the basis of 300 donors per year and a disavowal percentage of 50%. RESULTS: The running costs comprise of personnel (2 physicians, 2 technicians), amortization of equipment, laboratory costs, laboratory consumables, occupancy costs and quality management. Annual expenses total 584000 EUR. This aggregation divided by 300 corneal grafts released for transplantation results in a nominal charge of 1950 EUR per corneal graft. DISCUSSION: The DRG system in Germany (in-patients at a base rate of 1.0) refunds only 850 EUR, leaving a financial gap of 1100 EUR per keratoplasty. This financial burden is currently left over to the eye bank and/or the surgeon. Copyright 2009 S. Karger AG, Basel.
PURPOSE: To estimate the averaged cost of processing a corneal graft for keratoplasty. METHODS: We estimated the total running costs of a German corneal bank for one year. All procurement-related expenses were calculated on the basis of 300 donors per year and a disavowal percentage of 50%. RESULTS: The running costs comprise of personnel (2 physicians, 2 technicians), amortization of equipment, laboratory costs, laboratory consumables, occupancy costs and quality management. Annual expenses total 584000 EUR. This aggregation divided by 300 corneal grafts released for transplantation results in a nominal charge of 1950 EUR per corneal graft. DISCUSSION: The DRG system in Germany (in-patients at a base rate of 1.0) refunds only 850 EUR, leaving a financial gap of 1100 EUR per keratoplasty. This financial burden is currently left over to the eye bank and/or the surgeon. Copyright 2009 S. Karger AG, Basel.
Authors: Francesco Aiello; Federico Genzano Besso; Giulio Pocobelli; Gabriele Gallo Afflitto; Rossella Anna Maria Colabelli Gisoldi; Carlo Nucci; Diego Ponzin Journal: Cell Tissue Bank Date: 2021-05-24 Impact factor: 1.522
Authors: Tien-En Tan; Gary S L Peh; Benjamin L George; Howard Y Cajucom-Uy; Di Dong; Eric A Finkelstein; Jodhbir S Mehta Journal: PLoS One Date: 2014-06-20 Impact factor: 3.240