Avoiding re-admissions saves resources
Hospitals will save health care resources worth $333 per patient if they adopt an intervention aimed at reducing the risk of emergency re-admissions among elderly Australians, a new study by Queensland University of Technology has found.
Health economist, Associate Professor Nick Graves, said it made economic sense to spend money implementing health programs aimed at keeping people out of hospital and from using fewer health care services.
“The analysis found hospitals would need to invest $547 per eligible patient in a 24-week post-discharge care program that offered individual support including nursing and physiotherapy assessment, an at home visit, an exercise schedule and one-on-one phone contact,” he said.
“If hospitals choose to adopt this intervention then re-admissions will be reduced and other health care costs will be saved.”
He said in addition to cost savings, the intervention group also showed “significantly greater improvements” in quality of life.
“A dollar valuation can be placed on the improved quality of life and so the overall monetary benefits of the intervention are close to $8,000 per individual,” he said.
“The intervention program represents a win-win for policy-makers.”
