The cost of the inpatient management of febrile neutropenia in cancer patients - A micro-costing study in the Irish healthcare setting

C. O'Brien, E. Fogarty, C. Walsh, O. Dempsey, M. Barry, M. J. Kennedy, L. Mccullagh

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

The objective was to evaluate the resource use and cost of hospitalisation for febrile neutropenia (FN) from the health-payer's perspective. This was a single centre study. Adults undergoing chemotherapy, who were admitted for FN, were identified prospectively. Patient medical records were reviewed retrospectively. Demographics and resource utilisation data were obtained from a cohort of 32 patients (69% female, mean age=58.8 years). Twenty-five per cent of patients had more than one FN episode. In total, 42 FN episodes were captured; 60% of episodes had occurred within the first two cycles of chemotherapy. The bootstrap estimation was used to determine mean hospital length of stay (LOS) with standard deviation (±SD) and mean costs ± SD. The mean LOS was 7.3±0.5 days. The mean cost per FN episode was €8915±718. The major cost driver was hospital bed-stay (mean cost of €6851±549). Other cost drivers included antibacterial treatment at €760±156, laboratory investigations at €538±47 and the requirement for blood bank products at €525±189. To our knowledge, this is the first investigation of the cost of chemotherapy induced FN within the context of the Irish healthcare setting.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)125-132
Number of pages8
JournalEuropean Journal of Cancer Care
Volume24
Issue number1
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Jan 2015
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Cancer
  • Cost
  • Direct costs
  • Febrile neutropenia

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