Hemodialysis costs analysis calculated by relative value units

This paper's aim is to apply certain weighting factors, which measure the c omplexity of each type of session performed and so allow a more realistic c omparison with hemodialysis sessions performed in dialysis Units. The vario us costs of the Castellon General Hospital Dialysis Unit were calculated. Five types of Hospital-performed sessions were defined to which were applie d concrete weighting factors called Relative Value Units (RVU). These took account of health professionals' time, disposable material and drug expense s. The cost of single hemodialysis session, before the RVU calculation was add ed, was 28,549 pesetas (171.58 Eu.). Thirty-two per cent of the cost was fr om disposable material, 29.38% for cost of health professionals time, 18.54 % for structural costs, 13.4% For drug expenses, and 5.73% for the nephrolo gists' time. When RVU were applied, the Type I session cost (chronic renal failure patie nts on regular hemodialysis) was 28,882 pesetas (149.54 Eu.). As the comple xity of the procedure increased, up to the Type V session (acute renal Fail ure patients in intensive Care Units), the costs also rose to 68,448 peseta s (411.38 Eu.). We conclude that weigthing the different types of hemodialysis sessions by means of RVU, allows a better measurement of the costs and achieves a more accurate comparison with others hemodialysis units.