title: Early neurologically focused follow-up after cardiac arrest is cost-effective: A trial-based economic evaluation.
abstract: To evaluate the cost-effectiveness of an early intervention service for cardiac arrest survivors called 'Stand still …, and move on' from a societal perspective.
  
  
  
  This concise nursing intervention consists of screening for cognitive and emotional problems, information provision and support, self-management promotion, and further referral if necessary. Earlier research confirmed the feasibility of the intervention and its effectiveness in improving emotional functioning and quality of life.
  
  
  
  In this multicentre randomized controlled trial with one year follow-up 185 patients were included between April 2007 and December 2010. The experimental group received the intervention, the control group received care-as-usual. Intervention costs, other direct healthcare costs (e.g. hospital care, rehabilitation, medication, home care) and indirect costs (productivity loss) were measured during ten months using monthly cost-diaries. The economic evaluation comprised a cost-utility analysis (SF-36) and a cost-effectiveness analysis (QOLIBRI) using bootstrapping (5000 replications) to quantify uncertainty concerning the incremental cost effectiveness ratio (ICER), and the probability of the intervention being cost-effective was estimated. To check the robustness of the findings, two sensitivity analyses were performed using the EQ-5D and the complete cases respectively.
  
  
  
  Of 136 (74%) participants sufficient data concerning costs were collected to be included in this economic evaluation. Intervention costs were on average €127 (SD 85). No significant differences between groups were found with regard to overall costs. The ICERs of the cost-utility and the cost-effectiveness analyses supported the cost-effectiveness of the intervention. The probability of the intervention being cost-effective was 54-76% for the SF-36 and 94% for the QOLIBRI. Findings were robust.
  
  
  
  The intervention 'Stand still …, and move on' has positive societal economic effects and has a high probability to be cost-effective. Implementation in regular healthcare is recommended.
  
  
  
  ISRCTN74835019.
authors.affiliation: Adelante, Centre of Expertise in Rehabilitation and Audiology, Zandbergsweg 111, 6432 CC Hoensbroek, The Netherlands; CAPHRI School for Public Health and Primary Care, Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Maastricht University, PO box 616, 6200 MD Maastricht, The Netherlands. Electronic address: v.moulaert@adelante-zorggroep.nl.
authors.forename: Véronique R M
authors.initials: VR
authors.lastname: Moulaert
authors.affiliation: CAPHRI School for Public Health and Primary Care, Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Maastricht University, PO box 616, 6200 MD Maastricht, The Netherlands; Department of Clinical Psychological Science, Maastricht University, PO box 616, 6200 MD Maastricht, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Mariëlle
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Goossens
authors.affiliation: De Hoogstraat Rehabilitation, Rembrandtkade 10, 3583 TM Utrecht, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Irene L C
authors.initials: IL
authors.lastname: Heijnders
authors.affiliation: Adelante, Centre of Expertise in Rehabilitation and Audiology, Zandbergsweg 111, 6432 CC Hoensbroek, The Netherlands; CAPHRI School for Public Health and Primary Care, Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Maastricht University, PO box 616, 6200 MD Maastricht, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Jeanine A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Verbunt
authors.affiliation: School for Mental Health and Neuroscience, Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences; Department of Neuropsychology and Psychopharmacology, Faculty of Psychology and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, PO box 616, 6200 MD Maastricht, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Caroline M van
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Heugten
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D060825:Cognitive Dysfunction / Q000209:etiology; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D017048:Health Care Costs; D006323:Heart Arrest / Q000150:complications / Q000451:nursing* / Q000523:psychology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011788:Quality of Life; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
keywords: Cardiac arrest; Cost-effectiveness; Economic evaluation; Follow-up; Intervention