A cost analysis of the establishment of a dedicated orthopaedic outpatient injection clinic at a single institution.
BACKGROUND
Traditionally orthopaedic injections were performed in a theatre setting. A dedicated outpatient injection clinic was established at our institution to attempt to provide injections more cost effectively. Our aim was to perform a cost analysis of orthopaedic injections performed in theatre, compared to those performed in a dedicated OPD injection clinic.


METHODS
Patient data for all orthopaedic injections performed at a single institution from 2013 to 2014 was obtained using HIPE data. A detailed breakdown of costings for two scenarios; those performed in theatre and those in the dedicated OPD injection clinic was obtained from the hospital finance department. A unit cost per injection for theatre and OPD was derived from this financial information.


RESULTS
A total of 487 injections were performed in 2013, with 491 performed in 2014. 134 (27.5%) injections were performed in the OPD in 2013 compared to 388 (79%) in 2014. The unit cost per injection was calculated as €52.13 for theatre and €23.85 for OPD, this represented a 115% decrease in cost per injection.


CONCLUSIONS
The creation of a dedicated orthopaedic injection clinic resulted in considerable cost savings at our institution. We propose this may be a more cost-efficient model for delivery of injections in the orthopaedic setting.
Department of Trauma and Orthopaedics, Connolly Hospital, Blanchardstown, Dublin 15, Ireland. markcurtin10@gmail.com.
M
M
Curtin
Department of Trauma and Orthopaedics, Connolly Hospital, Blanchardstown, Dublin 15, Ireland.
S C
SC
O'Neill
Department of Trauma and Orthopaedics, Connolly Hospital, Blanchardstown, Dublin 15, Ireland.
P
P
Keogh
Department of Trauma and Orthopaedics, Connolly Hospital, Blanchardstown, Dublin 15, Ireland.
P
P
Kenny
D000554:Ambulatory Care Facilities; D003365:Costs and Cost Analysis / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D007267:Injections; D009985:Orthopedics / Q000191:economics*; D010045:Outpatients
Audit; Clinic; Cost; Efficiency; Injection; Outpatient; Saving; TPOT