Outpatient regulation system in health management: economic benefits of technological innovations

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the economic benefits of managing an outpatientappointments system with technological innovations.Design/methodology/approach – This study uses a quantitative methodological procedures aiming toevaluate the cost-benefit relation and also the payback of the management and operation of an outpatientappointments system with technological innovations.Findings – This study found a great benefit-cost relation of 30.6 showing the great economic value andsocial impact of managing an outpatient appointments regulation system with technologicalinnovations.Research limitations/implications – This study presents contribution to the literature discussionabout the economic evaluation of the benefits of managing and operating more effective outpatientappointments systems because of important technological innovations.Practical implications – This paper presents and discusses the most important and commonly usedstrategies and technological innovations to deal with and to manage an outpatient appointment regulationsystem aiming to reduce the patient no-show rates.Social implications – The findings of this study show a great benefit-cost relation of about 30.6 which isbeing reverted to the society.Originality/value – There not exist many similar studies in the pertinent literature, mostly with theBrazilian contexts

Avaliação econômica em saúde: triagem neonatal da galactosemia Newborn screening for galactosemia: a health economics evaluation

Este trabalho avalia a eficiência da adição do exame da galactosemia junto ao Teste do Pezinho. Baseado na incidência média estimada de galactosemia, de 1:19.984 recém-nascidos, no Estado de São Paulo, Brasil, este estudo desenvolve um modelo de análise de custo-benefício, utilizando a relação benefício/custo (B/C), a taxa de juros de 9,25% ao ano para descapitalização dos resultados obtidos. Também se realiza uma análise de sensibilidade, em função da variação da taxa de juros entre 0 e 20% e do intervalo de 95% de confiança da incidência da galactosemia (1:7.494 a 1:59.953 recém-nascidos). A economia obtida com a melhora da saúde das crianças doentes identificadas precocemente é superior aos custos (B/C = 1,33), caracterizando como eficiente a política de adição do exame neonatal para galactosemia no Teste do Pezinho. Quanto menor a taxa de juros vigente na economia, mais eficiente é a política de triagem neonatal, não considerados os custos sociais intangíveis evitados.<br>This study assesses the efficiency of the galactosemia add-on test in neonatal screening performed on regular Guthrie card blood spots. Based on estimated average incidence of galactosemia (1:19,984 newborns) in São Paulo State, Brazil, the study develops a cost-benefit analysis model, using a B/C ratio and a 9.25% annual interest rate in order to decapitalize the results. Sensitivity analysis is also performed, varying (as a function of the interest or discount rate) from 0 and 20% and according to the 95% confidence interval (1:7,494-1:59,953 newborns). The results show that the savings obtained by improved health of galactosemic patients detected early by add-on neonatal screening is superior to the costs (B/C=1.33), characterizing galactosemia add-on testing in neonatal screening as an efficient policy. The lower the prevailing interest rate in the economy, the more efficient the neonatal screening policy