F Parkinson1, S J W Kent, C Aldous, G Oosthuizen, D Clarke. 1. Edendale Hospital, Pietermaritzburg, P/Bag X509, Plessislaer 3216, South Africa; Nelson R Mandela School of Medicine, University of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Electronic address: franparkinson@hotmail.co.uk.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Road traffic crashes are responsible for a vast amount of death and disability in developing countries. This study uses a bottom up, micro-costing approach to determine the cost of road traffic related crashes in South Africa. METHODS: Using the data from one hundred consecutive RTC related admissions to a regional hospital in South Africa we performed a bottom up costing study. To calculate costs patients were reviewed every 48 h and all interventions were recorded for each individual patient. Prices of interventions were obtained from hospital pricelists. A total cost was calculated on an individual basis. RESULTS: The total cost of in-patient care for these patients was US $6,98,850. Upper limb injuries were the most expensive, and the total cost increased with the number of body regions injured. The biggest expenditure was on ward overheads ($2,81,681). Ninety operations were performed - the total cost of theatre time was $1,48,230 and the cost of orthopaedic implants was $1,26,487. CONCLUSION: The cost of care of a RTC victim is significant. In light of the high numbers of RTC victims admitted over the course of the year this is a significant cost burden for a regional hospital to bear. This cost must be taken into account when allocating hospital budgets.
BACKGROUND: Road traffic crashes are responsible for a vast amount of death and disability in developing countries. This study uses a bottom up, micro-costing approach to determine the cost of road traffic related crashes in South Africa. METHODS: Using the data from one hundred consecutive RTC related admissions to a regional hospital in South Africa we performed a bottom up costing study. To calculate costs patients were reviewed every 48 h and all interventions were recorded for each individual patient. Prices of interventions were obtained from hospital pricelists. A total cost was calculated on an individual basis. RESULTS: The total cost of in-patient care for these patients was US $6,98,850. Upper limb injuries were the most expensive, and the total cost increased with the number of body regions injured. The biggest expenditure was on ward overheads ($2,81,681). Ninety operations were performed - the total cost of theatre time was $1,48,230 and the cost of orthopaedic implants was $1,26,487. CONCLUSION: The cost of care of a RTC victim is significant. In light of the high numbers of RTC victims admitted over the course of the year this is a significant cost burden for a regional hospital to bear. This cost must be taken into account when allocating hospital budgets.
Authors: Kss Dayananda; V Y Kong; J L Bruce; G V Oosthuizen; G L Laing; P Brysiewicz; D L Clarke Journal: Ann R Coll Surg Engl Date: 2018-10-05 Impact factor: 1.891
Authors: Henry G Burnand; Samuel E McMahon; Adrian Sayers; Tembisa Tshengu; Norrie Gibson; Ashley W Blom; Michael R Whitehouse; Vikki Wylde Journal: Arch Orthop Trauma Surg Date: 2020-08-12 Impact factor: 3.067