Abstract

ASSESSING COST-EFFECTIVENESS: ANALGESIC UTILIZATION IN POST-OPERATIVE CARE IN A TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL

Dr. Varghese C. Joseph*, Dr. Parvathi C. M., Dr. Maneesha Mariam Manoj, Cijo George and Dr. Beena P.

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Abstract

Pain assessment is a broad concept involving clinical judgement based on observation of the type, significance and context of the individuals pain experienced. Pain assessment is crucial for pain management to be effective, which can be challenging due to the subjectivity and multidimensional nature of pain. The aim of the study was to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of analgesics prescribed in the department of orthopaedic for ensuring efficient pain management. A prospective longitudinal study was conducted for over a period of six months in Orthopaedic department of SH medical centre, a tertiary care hospital in Kerala in India. A total of 100 patients satisfying the inclusion criteria were analysed to study the prescription pattern of analgesics among postoperative patients in orthopaedic department. All the relevant and necessary data of the patients were collected with consent from the patients case records, by interviewing the patient or patients caregiver, prescription of patient and were reviewed for demographic data, clinical presentations, investigations and management, data analysis was conducted. Cost minimization analysis shows a potential reduction in cost of prescription, if there was an intervention. The overall cost of prescription was reduced to 14.42% if the proposed alternate 1 category of brands were used and 26.33% reduction with alternate 2 category of brands. The study provided an insight into the costs of analgesics being used in the hospital in the orthopedics department. The total cost reduction of 14.42% and 26.33% with alternate brands of drugs shows that effective cost reduction strategies could reduce the cost of therapy which will in turn improve patient compliance and reduces the economic burden.

Keywords: Analgesics, Prescription, Orthopedics, Pain, Cost.