LIVER-TRANSPLANTATION AND DIAGNOSTIC-RADI OLOGY - SOCIOECONOMIC ISSUES

Purpose: For calculating cost-effectiveness in the context of diagnosi s related groups (DRG) we analysed all radiological examinations for 5 6 consecutive liver transplantations during the primary stay in the su rgical department (1052 chest x-rays, 296 ultrasonographies, 216 colou r coded duplex sonographies, 72 cholangiographies, 35 CT, 23 angiograp hies, one MRI and one embolisation). Methods: For calculation we used the reimbursement that the surgical wards received per patient day and the special fee for liver transplantation. We compared this with the refunds received by the department of radiology. Results: The hospital was reimbursed a total of 143 785.80 DM per patient. The diagnostic a nd interventional procedures that were requested for the 56 patients a mounted to a total of 225 118.63 DM and 4019.96 DM per patient, respec tively. Conclusions: This means that only 2.8% of all the costs during and after liver transplantation were caused by the radiological exami nations. This represents only a small portion of the expenses during t he time in hospital, taking into account especially that patients afte r liver transplantation are at high risk for developing complications.