Samantha A Hollingworth1, Maria Donald2, Jianzhen Zhang3, Bharat Phani Vaikuntam4, Anthony Russell5, Claire Jackson6. 1. School of Pharmacy, The University of Queensland, 20 Cornwall St., Woolloongabba, QLD 4102, Australia. Electronic address: s.hollingworth@uq.edu.au. 2. School of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Herston, QLD 4006, Australia. Electronic address: m.donald@sph.uq.edu.au. 3. School of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Herston, QLD 4006, Australia. Electronic address: jenny.zhang@uq.edu.au. 4. School of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Herston, QLD 4006, Australia. Electronic address: bharat.vaikuntam@uq.net.au. 5. School of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Herston, QLD 4006, Australia; Princess Alexandra Hospital, Woolloongabba, QLD 4102, Australia. Electronic address: Anthony.Russell2@health.qld.gov.au. 6. School of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Herston, QLD 4006, Australia. Electronic address: c.jackson@uq.edu.au.
Abstract
AIM: To estimate potential savings for Australia's health care system through the implementation of an innovative Beacon model of care for patients with complex diabetes. METHODS: A prospective controlled trial was conducted comparing a multidisciplinary, community-based, integrated primary-secondary care diabetes service with usual care at a hospital diabetes outpatient clinic. We extracted patient hospitalisation data from the Queensland Hospital Admitted Patient Data Collection and used Australian Refined Diagnosis Related Groups to assign costs to potentially preventable hospitalisations for diabetes. RESULTS: 327 patients with complex diabetes referred by their general practitioner for specialist outpatient care were included in the analysis. The integrated model of care had potential for national cost savings of $132.5 million per year. CONCLUSIONS: The differences in hospitalisations attributable to better integrated primary/secondary care can yield large cost savings. Models such as the Beacon are highly relevant to current national health care reform initiatives to improve the continuity and efficiency of care for those with complex chronic disease in primary care.
AIM: To estimate potential savings for Australia's health care system through the implementation of an innovative Beacon model of care for patients with complex diabetes. METHODS: A prospective controlled trial was conducted comparing a multidisciplinary, community-based, integrated primary-secondary care diabetes service with usual care at a hospital diabetesoutpatient clinic. We extracted patient hospitalisation data from the Queensland Hospital Admitted Patient Data Collection and used Australian Refined Diagnosis Related Groups to assign costs to potentially preventable hospitalisations for diabetes. RESULTS: 327 patients with complex diabetes referred by their general practitioner for specialist outpatient care were included in the analysis. The integrated model of care had potential for national cost savings of $132.5 million per year. CONCLUSIONS: The differences in hospitalisations attributable to better integrated primary/secondary care can yield large cost savings. Models such as the Beacon are highly relevant to current national health care reform initiatives to improve the continuity and efficiency of care for those with complex chronic disease in primary care.
Authors: Sara Murtagh; Geoff McCombe; John Broughan; Áine Carroll; Mary Casey; Áine Harrold; Thomas Dennehy; Ronan Fawsitt; Walter Cullen Journal: Int J Integr Care Date: 2021-02-09 Impact factor: 5.120