A MODEL-BASED ECONOMIC-EVALUATION OF A NE W THERAPEUTIC SYSTEM IN TOTAL PARENTERAL-NUTRITION

In this economic evaluation we compared the costs of a new therapeutic system (two-chamber bag) in total parenteral nutrition (TPN) with the comparative standard therapeutic systems (multiple-bottle system in i ntensive care patients followed by a combination solution (glass bottl es) on the ward). In the model, standard treatment algorithms of a 10- day course TPN for patients after major gastric surgery were specified for both application systems, the two-chamber bag and the comparative system. Based on the standard treatment pattern, the resource utilisa tion (manpower services, medical needs, material) was assessed. In a b ase case analysis the types and amounts of resources were valued using salaries, prices and tariffs to assess the costs. The costs per day a nd per case of the therapeutic systems were compared. sensitivity anal yses were carried out to validate the costestimates. The total costs p er patient of the two-chamber bag amounted to DM 2324.41, which was su bstantially less than the DM 2728.99 cost of the comparative system. T he average daily costs for the two-chamber bag system were 12 % to 23 % lower than for the comparative system. The results were shown to be valid for the whole range of tested parameters. This model makes it po ssible to obtain an economic evaluation of various therapeutic modalit ies without undertaking a prospective randomized study with the attend ant high time and cost requirements.