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Textbook of Rapid Response Systems pp 415–428Cite as

The Costs and the Savings

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Abstract

Limited data exist regarding the cost-efficacy of changes in hospital systems. Such calculations are complex and require accounting, not just for the costs of implementing the therapy and the patient outcome benefits, but also for the subsequent resource utilization associated with any patient outcome benefits. The collection of such data is extraordinarily burdensome, complicated and subject to bias.1,2 In addition, it requires a level of long-term follow-up that is often too difficult or itself too costly to accomplish. Yet, despite the above caveats, in an environment where return on investment and providing the best possible care at the lowest possible price is paramount, no discussion of a medical intervention is complete without analysis of its associated costs. Therefore, this chapter will attempt to shed some light on the cost implications of implementing a Rapid Response System.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Intensive Care, Austin Hospital, Heidelberg, 3084, VIC, Australia

    Rinaldo Bellomo

Authors
  1. Dana Edelson
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  2. Rinaldo Bellomo
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Correspondence to Rinaldo Bellomo .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. , Department of Critical Care Medicine, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Dewey Street 125, Edgewood, 15218-1407, Pennsylvania, USA

    Michael A. DeVita

  2. Liverpool Hospital, Dept. Intensive Care, University of New South Wales, Locked Bag 7103, Liverpool, 1871, New South Wales, Australia

    Ken Hillman

  3. Dept. Intensive Care, Austin and Repatriation Medical Centre, Studley Road, Heidelberg, 3084, Victoria, Australia

    Rinaldo Bellomo

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Edelson, D., Bellomo, R. (2011). The Costs and the Savings. In: DeVita, M., Hillman, K., Bellomo, R. (eds) Textbook of Rapid Response Systems. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-0-387-92853-1_37

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-0-387-92853-1_37

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