title: [Costs of subarachnoid vs. general anaesthesia for caesarean section].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Modern medicine is becoming increasingly aware of economic-organizational aspects. In the field of anaesthesiology, the number of agents used markedly increases due to continuous pharmacological progress. A high proportion of them are expensive. The aim of the study was to compare hospital costs of general vs. subarachnoid anaesthesia for Caesarean section.
  
  
  METHODS
  Costs were assessed from the perspective of a service provider. Direct costs were measured using the micro-cost method based on detailed data of the resources used during anaesthetic procedures. Non-medical costs were calculated by the direct allocation method (costs of auxiliary units). Unit costs of hospitalization were determined using the "top-to-bottom" assessment. Costs related to anaesthetic staff work were calculated by the micro-cost method based on duration of anaesthesia. Sensitivity analysis was performed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Mean direct cost of general anaesthesia for Caesarean section was lower than of subarachnoid anaesthesia. Mean personnel cost of subarachnoid anaesthesia was found to be higher compared to general anaesthesia. Costs of pharmaceuticals for general anaesthesia were lower than for subarachnoid one. Costs of medical materials related to the method used were significantly higher in subarachnoid anaesthesia.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Subarachnoid anaesthesia takes more time than general one, which results in higher costs of medical staff work. Avoiding inhalation anaesthetics (sevoflurane) makes indirect costs of general anaesthesia lower compared to subarachnoid anaesthesia.
authors.affiliation: Zakład Pielegniarstwa Anestezjologicznego i Intensywnej Opieki Medycznej, Uniwersytet Medyczny w Lublinie. anest@am.lublin.pl
authors.forename: Magdalena
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kwiatosz-Muc
authors.forename: Leszek
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Wdowiak
authors.forename: Andrzej
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Nestorowicz
authors.forename: Michał
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kowalczyk
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000767:Anesthesia, Epidural / Q000191:economics*; D000768:Anesthesia, General / Q000191:economics*; D000773:Anesthesia, Obstetrical / Q000191:economics*; D002585:Cesarean Section / Q000191:economics*; D003365:Costs and Cost Analysis; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D011044:Poland; D011247:Pregnancy; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013346:Subarachnoid Space