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The cost of testicular torsion care in Ireland 2009–2018: a novel cost estimation model using a national database

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Abstract

Activity-based funding (ABF) is a reimbursement model for public hospitals in Ireland. Little data exist regarding cost estimates for acute surgical admissions in Ireland. This study presents a novel method of direct cost estimation for testicular torsion (TT) care in Ireland. Hospital Inpatient Enquiry (HIPE) data, covering all public hospital admissions in Ireland, were analysed to derive annual incidence rates for TT between 2009 and 2018. The monetary cost of each case was calculated by cross-referencing the diagnosis-related group (DRG) with reference prices for inpatients and day-cases in public hospitals in 2019. Annual cost was adjusted using the Consumer Price Index for Health (Ireland). One thousand seven hundred forty-six patients under 25 years underwent orchidectomy or orchidopexy for TT between 2009 and 2018. The direct cost of TT care in public hospitals between 2009 and 2018 was €6,331,402. Costs increased 54% over 10 years, from €513,232 in 2009 to €788,700 in 2018 (2019 Euros). Just over two-thirds of cases (70%, n = 1230) were reimbursed with public funding. This novel cost estimation model may serve as a template for future direct cost estimates for surgical interventions in Ireland. This will improve the accuracy of future economic evaluation for healthcare interventions in Ireland.

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Abbreviations

ABF:

Activity-based funding

CPI:

Consumer Price Index

CSO:

Central Statistics Office

DRG:

Diagnosis-Related Group

EU:

European Union

HPO:

Healthcare Pricing Office

HSE:

Health Service Executive

ICD-10-AM:

International Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems, Tenth Revision, Australian Modification

LOS:

Length of Stay

OOPs:

Out of Pocket Payments

ROI:

Republic of Ireland

RV:

Relative Value

TT:

Testicular Torsion

VHI:

Voluntary Health Insurance

WU:

Weighted Unit

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Transplant Urology and Nephrology Directorate, Beaumont Hospital, Beaumont, Dublin 9, Ireland

    Diarmuid D. Sugrue, Eabhann O’Connor & Niall F. Davis

  2. London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, Bloomsbury, London, UK

    Diarmuid D. Sugrue

Authors
  1. Diarmuid D. Sugrue
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  2. Eabhann O’Connor
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  3. Niall F. Davis
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Correspondence to Diarmuid D. Sugrue.

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Sugrue, D.D., O’Connor, E. & Davis, N.F. The cost of testicular torsion care in Ireland 2009–2018: a novel cost estimation model using a national database. Ir J Med Sci 191, 2689–2695 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11845-021-02887-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11845-021-02887-7

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