TITLE:
Routine Preoperative Laboratory Testing: Economic Burden on Pre-Surgical Patients
AUTHORS:
Bright Ighodaro Obasuyi, Akwasi Antwi-Kusi
KEYWORDS:
Preoperative, Laboratory Investigations, Economic Burden
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Anesthesiology,
Vol.7 No.1,
January
25,
2017
ABSTRACT: Background: Routine
pre-operative test, results in significant cost to the hospital and expense for
the patient. The cost of a single laboratory test may be negligible but too
many tests have increased cost for many national health schemes. Most of these
patients cannot afford this extra cost thereby delaying surgery and adding up
to emergencies. Implementation of change is necessary to reduce economic burden
on the patient and enhance patient care. The aim of this study was to determine
the economic burden of preoperative laboratory tests on pre-surgical patients
in Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital with a view to making
appropriate recommendations that will reduce costs for the patients. Methodology:
This was a prospective, cross-sectional study of patients undergoing
elective surgery at K.A.T.H from 1st to 31st March 2014.
A quantitative technique was used to effectively quantify laboratory results
that were contained in a patient’s folder before an elective surgical
procedure. Close and open ended questionnaire was developed and answered by
reviewing patient’s folders during the pre-anaesthesia assessment. Cost of
various laboratory investigations was obtained on request from one private
laboratory and the KATH main laboratory. Data were analyzed using Statistical Package of
Social Sciences (SSPS) version 22 and Microsoft Excel 2010. Results: The total
cost of preoperative laboratory investigations in the study population was GHC
15, 321.19 (GHC 92.85 per individual); and for tests that were not indicated,
GHC 3, 266.83 (GHC19.80 per individual). Conclusion: Routine preoperative laboratory
tests ordered by Surgeons in Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital impose an economic burden
on the patients. The development of a comprehensive guideline that
will help in the ordering of preoperative laboratory investigation will reduce
costs for the patients.