This article is part of the supplement: Selected articles from the XXV National Congress of the Italian Society of Geriatric Surgery
Research article
Diverticular disease hospital cost impact analysis: evaluation of testings and surgical procedures in inpatient and outpatient admissions
Author affiliations
1 Department of General, Geriatric, Oncologic Surgery and Advanced Technologies, University “Federico II” of Naples. Via Pansini, 5 - 80131 – Naples, Italy
2 Department of Surgical and Gastroenterological Sciences, Padova University Hospital, Italy, Via Giustiniani n.2, 35126 Padova, Italy
Citation and License
BMC Surgery 2012, 12(Suppl 1):S3 doi:10.1186/1471-2482-12-S1-S3
Published: 15 November 2012Abstract
Background
Diverticular Disease (DD) is a common condition in Italy and in other western countries. There is not much data concerning DD’s impact on budget and activity in hospitals.
Methods
The aim is to detect the clinical workload and the financial impact of diverticular disease in hospitals.
Retrospective observational study of all patients treated for diverticular disease during the period of seven years in AOU Federico II. Analysis of inpatient and outpatient investigations, treatment, hospitalization and financial refunds.
Results
A total of 738 patients were treated and 840 hospital discharge records were registered. There were a total number of 4101 hospitalization days and 753 outpatient accesses. The investigations generated were 416 endoscopies, 197 abdominal CT scans, 177 abdominal ultrasound scans, 109 X-rays tests. A total of 193 surgical operations were performed. The total cost of this activity was € 1.656.802 or 0.2% of the total budget of the hospital. € 1.346.218, were attributable to the department of general surgery, 0.9% of the department’s budget .
Conclusions
The limited impact of diverticular disease on the budget and activity of AOU Federico II of Naples is mainly due to the absence of an emergency department.
