Cost-minimization analysis of a wide-area teleradiology network in a French region.
OBJECTIVE
The objective of our study was to perform a cost-minimization analysis of a wide-area teleradiology network.


METHODS
A prospective analysis of all transmissions over 1 year (data transmitted at the time of the remote consultation, and health outcomes of patients from medical record).


METHODS
The inter-hospital teleradiology network of the Aquitaine area (RIHRA) is a telemedicine system enabling the management of remote emergencies and elective radiology consultations.


METHODS
A cost-minimization study enabled a comparison of care procedures following the use of the network with those which would have been implemented without the network. The outcome measures of effectiveness were the transfers, hospitalizations, and consultations avoided or added. Fixed and variable costs were estimated.


RESULTS
Among the 664 transmissions included in the study, 562 (85%) were performed in emergency and 102 (15%) for elective (non-emergency) cases. In emergency, 48% of transfers were avoided. For elective teleconsultations, a transfer was avoided for 37% of the patients and hospitalization for 12%. An extra consultation occurred after remote consultation for 2% of the patients. Annual saving can be estimated at 102,779 EUR for the Aquitaine area.


CONCLUSIONS
This study underlines the efficiency of an inter-hospital teleradiology network. A qualitative evaluation of the impact of the use of the system should be carried out to improve technical and organizational operations.
Daucourt
Valentin
V
Committee for Clinical Evaluation and Quality Improvement in Aquitaine, Xavier Arnozan Hospital, Pessac, France. valentin.daucourt@ccecqa.asso.fr
Sicotte
Claude
C
Pelletier-Fleury
Nathalie
N
Petitjean
Marie-Edith
ME
Chateil
Jean-François
JF
Michel
Philippe
P
D003363:Cost Control; D005602:France; D006801:Humans; D007373:Interinstitutional Relations; D015397:Program Evaluation; D011446:Prospective Studies; D019112:Teleradiology / Q000191:economics* / Q000458:organization & administration