Water immersion during labor and birth: is there an extra cost for hospitals?
OBJECTIVE
Water immersion during labor and birth is growing in popularity, and many hospitals are now considering offering this service to laboring women. Some advantages of water immersion are demonstrated, but others remain uncertain, and particularly, few studies have examined the financial impact of such a device on hospitals. This study simulated what could be the extra cost of water immersion for hospitals.


METHODS
Clinical outcomes were drawn from the results of systematic reviews already published, and cost units were those used in the Quebec health network. A decision tree was used with microsimulations of representative laboring women. Sensitivity analyses were performed as regards analgesic use and labor duration.


RESULTS
Microsimulations indicated an extra cost between $166.41 and $274.76 (2014 Canadian dollars) for each laboring woman as regards the scenario considered. The average extra cost was $221.12 (95% confidence interval, 219.97-222.28).


CONCLUSIONS
While water immersion allows better clinical outcomes, implementation and other costs are higher than the savings generated, which leads to a small extra cost to allow women to potentially have more relaxation and less pain.
UETMIS and CRCHUS, CIUSSS de l'Estrie-CHUS, Sherbrooke, QC, Canada.
Thomas G
TG
Poder
D000767:Anesthesia, Epidural / Q000191:economics; D003365:Costs and Cost Analysis; D004469:Economics, Hospital / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007743:Labor, Obstetric; D017059:Models, Econometric; D011247:Pregnancy; D011792:Quebec; D013997:Time Factors; D014867:Water
D014867:Water
birth; childbirth; cost; hospital; labor; water birth; water immersion