PURPOSE
This study was a retrospective survey to examine economic feasibility of home care services for patients with diabetic foot.
METHODS
The participants were 33 patients in the home care services (HC) group and 27 in the non-home care services (non-HC) group, all of whom were discharged early after inpatient treatment. Data were collected from medical records. Direct medical costs were calculated using medical fee payment data. Cost-effectiveness ratio was calculated using direct medical costs paid by the patient and the insurer until complete cure of the diabetic foot. Effectiveness was the time required for a complete cure. Direct medical costs included fees for hospitalization, emergency care, home care, ambulatory fees, and hospitalization or ambulatory fees at other medical institutions.
RESULTS
Mean for direct medical costs was 11,118,773 won per person in the HC group, and 16,005,883 won in the non-HC group. The difference between the groups was statistically significant (p=.042). Analysis of the results for cost-effectiveness ratio showed 91,891 won per day in the HC patients, and 109,629 won per day in the non-HC patients.
CONCLUSION
Result shows that the cost-effectiveness ratio is lower HC patients than non-HC patients, that indicates home care services are economically feasible.