Observational study into the full cost of red cell transfusion in patients with beta thalassaemia at Monash Medical Centre

None listed

The aim of this study is to determine the total cost of administration of a unit of red blood cells for a patient with thalassaemia major treated at Monash Medical Centre, Melbourne, Australia. This study involves determination of the processes and costs associated with administering a unit of RBCs to adult patients with thalassaemia at Monash Medical Centre, Clayton, Victoria, Australia. The unit of observation is the process involved in preparation or administration of a unit of RBCs and as such, patients are not enrolled into this study. Transfusions can be life-saving, but they also carry risks and substantial costs. Alternatives to transfusions exist for some patients, but evaluations and decisions about treatment options are often complex, and may be more difficult when the benefits, risks and costs are not well characterised. Australian governments through the National Blood Authority (NBA) spend in the order of $AUD 1 billion annually in provision of blood products for the community. However, visibility of transfusion-­-related costs is generally low. The “manufacturing cost” is now carried on the blood product label, and for red blood cells (RBCs) at October 2015 this is $AUD 374.72(1). In some Australian states the costs of the product is devolved to the hospital level, but most hospitals have little or no idea of the true costs of transfusion therapy, over and above the costs of providing components, including laboratory and clinical costs. Thalassaemia is associated with significant complications and often requires lifelong therapy, involving red blood cell transfusion every three to four weeks which require the individual to attend hospital for the day. Estimates of the total healthcare costs for a beta thalassaemia major patient experiencing minimal complications are $150K per year, however there are currently no Australian transfusion costing data in the thalassaemia context. Understanding the full cost of transfusion will inform policy development and facilitate safe and cost effective treatments and transfusion support for patients with beta thalassaemia; resulting in improved outcomes for patients and better utilization of limited health resources.

No related papers found yet.