[A cost-utility analysis of home care services by using the QALY].
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to analyze economical efficiency of home care service by comparing a cost-utility ratio(CUR) between home care and hospitalization.


METHODS
The analytic framework of this study was constructed in 5 stages: Identifying the analytic perspectives, measurement of costs, measurement of utility, analysis of CUR, and sensitivity test. Data was collected by reviewing medical records, home care service records, medical fee claims, and other related research.


RESULTS
The mean of the annual total cost was 23,317,636 Won in home care and 73,739,352 Won in hospital care. QALY was 0.389 in home care and 0.474 in hospital care, so CUR was 299,712,545 QALY in home care and 777,841,266 QALY in hospital care.


CONCLUSIONS
The findings affirmed that home care had an economical efficiency in the aspect of utility compared to hospitalization. Therefore, the findings of this study can be used to develop a governmental health policy or to expand the home care system. In addition, the cost-utility analysis framework and process of this study will be an example model for cost-utility analysis in nursing research. Therefore, it will be used as a guideline for future research related to cost-utility analysis in nursing.
Department of Nursing, Inha University, Nam-Ku, Inchon, Korea. lim20712@inha.ac.kr
Ji Young
JY
Lim
D003365:Costs and Cost Analysis; D006699:Home Care Services / Q000191:economics*; D006760:Hospitalization / Q000191:economics; D006801:Humans; D007723:Korea; D019057:Quality-Adjusted Life Years