200 likes | 300 Views
Blood Inflation. Karen L. Dallas, M.D.C.M. TMR Journal Club May 4, 2010. “Activity-Based Costs of Blood Transfusions in Surgical Patients at Four Hospitals” ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Transfusion April 2010. Vol 50(4), 753-765. About me…. American (from Minnesota!)
E N D
Blood Inflation Karen L. Dallas, M.D.C.M. TMR Journal Club May 4, 2010
“Activity-Based Costs of Blood Transfusions in Surgical Patients at Four Hospitals”~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Transfusion April 2010. Vol 50(4), 753-765.
About me… • American (from Minnesota!) • McGill Medical School • U of T – Hematopathology Residency • BloodCenter of Wisconsin Fellowship in Transfusion/Coagulation + Research • …then back to Canada!
Objectives • Why this article? • Relevant background information • Article Review • Critical Appraisal • Discussion (the “meat & potatoes” of this JC!)
Why? (at least some of it!) • >14 million units collected annually in US • >1 million in Canada • Previous cost estimates ~$300-700 US • Studies/methods imperfect at best • Economic decision-making is increasingly important
Canadian Situation • 1994 – Mean cost per unit RBC transfused in Canada was reported at $152.17 US • CBS/HQ paper (Transfusion, 2004) re-visited issue: • Total $264.81 US • Collection, production, distribution = $202.74 • Donor time = $18.21 • Hospital processing = $16.65 • Actual transfusion = $26.92 • Acute reaction management = $0.29
Accounting 101 • Costing a.k.a. Cost Accounting • type of accounting process which aims to capture costs of production • most beneficial as a tool for management in budgeting and setting up cost control programs • Traditional Costing VS. • Activity-Based Costing (ABC)
Entire 136-page OCCI Guide… 0 entries for transfusion or blood!!
Flow Diagram (YIKES!)
Are the results valid? • In this case, I think we can safely say, “Yes!” • What are the results? • These results show the cost of blood – in US and European settings alike – to be much higher than previously reported. They also demonstrate the amount of “overhead”cost inherent to hemotherapy. • How can we apply the results to patient care? • This is the subject of our discussion…
DiscussionA few starter questions… • Is ABC worthwhile? • Idea of LEAN Accounting… • Should we re-visit the cost of Blood Center Production? • What are we to do with this information? • Blood conservation, blood alternatives, etc. • Transfusion is life-saving…are all “costs” created equally?
Thank-you! • Dr. Skeate and • CBS Medical Office, Toronto • Dr. Fernandes, U of T Hematopathology