[Activity-based financing: is ambulatory care profitable for the institution].
BACKGROUND
The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of the 11th version of the National Health System's Activity-Based Financing on the income of a University Hospital department for palpebral, lacrimal, and orbital surgeries.


METHODS
The number of such surgeries in 2008 was based on the Medicalization Program of the Information System. Using the 11th version of the Activity-Based Financing for Diagnosis-Related Groups, we compared the income in both inpatient and outpatient settings.


RESULTS
Two hundred and forty-eight patients undergoing palpebral, lacrimal, or orbital surgery between January and December 2008 were included, with 87% treated on an outpatient basis. The lower reimbursement for outpatient surgery resulted in a loss of 184,500 euros (79%) for our department compared to the inpatient procedure.


CONCLUSIONS
With rigorous organization, ambulatory surgery is feasible for palpebral, lacrimal, and orbital surgery. Nonetheless, with department incomes related to activity, ambulatory care seems financially disadvantageous. Many departments are trying to develop an ambulatory structure, but the need to balance their budget requires improved coherence.
Souchier
M
M
Service d'ophtalmologie, hôpital Général, centre hospitalier universitaire de Dijon, 3, rue du Faubourg-Raines, BP 1519, 21000 Dijon cedex, France.
Muselier
A
A
Vourch
M
M
Aubé
H
H
Juniot
A
A
Creuzot-Garcher
C
C
Bron
A-M
AM
D000553:Ambulatory Care / Q000191:economics*; D005260:Female; D005377:Financial Management, Hospital; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013508:Ophthalmologic Surgical Procedures