The cost-effectiveness of two intravenous additive systems.
The current health-care economic environment with increasing managed care and prospective payment system presents nurse administrators with the ongoing dilemma of providing optimal patient care while reducing or holding down the costs of that care. Evaluation of systems and processes used in the provision of care is key to containing expenditures. This study evaluates the cost-effectiveness of two intravenous (IV) additive systems, comparing the material, wastage, and labor costs and analyzing the effects of each system on nursing productivity. Results indicate that the higher material costs experienced with the implementation of the ADD-Vantage additive system (Abbott Laboratories, North Chicago, IL) are completely offset by the reduced labor expense. The introduction of a more efficient system also has a positive impact on nursing productivity demonstrated by the staff's use of their saved time in higher-level nursing functions.
Kishwaukee Community Hospital, DeKalb, IL.
M L
ML
Betz
B
B
Traw
J
J
Bostrom
D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D003365:Costs and Cost Analysis; D017598:Efficiency, Organizational / Q000191:economics; D006801:Humans; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous / Q000191:economics* / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000451:nursing; D013647:Task Performance and Analysis; D013997:Time Factors