title: Program of home telemonitoring in patients with cystic fibrosis over a period of 2 years: a contribution to the rationalization of care.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  In present study we tested the possible presence of a saving for Italian National Health Service (INHS) when using telemonitoring in the follow-up at home of patients with Cystic Fibrosis (CF), in the aim to assess the possible role of Telemedicine in rationalization of hospital admissions.
  
  
  METHODS
  We performed an economic analysis of the costs incurred by the INHS for patients with CF followed at home by telemonitoring, recalled to hospital under suspicion or diagnosis of acute pulmonary recurrence.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We calculated, for 19 patients retrieved in the period of the study, a total saving compared to traditional home care of € 132.144,91 in 24 months, corresponding to € 3.303,62/year/patient.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The presence of an economic advantage for the INHS is confirmed once again, although not significant. The data from this study are encouraging regarding the possible role of telemedicine in the organization of homecare of CF patients.
authors.affiliation: Cystic Fibrosis Unit, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bella
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Murgia
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Cotognini
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Alghisi
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Montemitro
mesh_terms: D003365:Costs and Cost Analysis; D003550:Cystic Fibrosis / Q000191:economics* / Q000628:therapy*; D006699:Home Care Services / Q000191:economics*; D006801:Humans; D007558:Italy; D010343:Patient Admission; D017216:Telemedicine / Q000191:economics*; D013997:Time Factors