[Economic impact of infected total hip arthroplasty in the German diagnosis-related groups system]

The treatment of an infected total hip arthroplasty is becoming an increasing economic problem. The additional costs of treatment are insufficiently represented in the diagnosis-related groups (DRG) categories. The aim of this study was to clarify whether the costs can be covered under the German DRG system and to identify the extent of the surplus or negative balance.

A retrospective analysis of the treatment costs of total hip arthroplasty was carried out. Data from all patients treated at the orthopedic clinic of the University Hospital in Rostock were collected from patient records and from the hospital information system and calculation of the personnel and material costs using data from the central pharmacy and control centre of the University of Rostock.

In this study a total of 49 patients were included. The average treatment costs were 29,331.36 EUR per patient for an infected and 6,263.59 EUR for a primarily non-infected total hip arthroplasty. A comparison between the calculated and compensated costs resulted in an average deficit of 12,685.60 EUR per patient and an average surplus of 781.41 EUR per patient in the control group.

An economically viable treatment of infected total hip arthroplasty was not possible mostly due to the increased personnel and material costs but also to the lack of inclusion of the procedures in the DRG system. Further multicenter cost analysis studies and extensive quality assurance measures are necessary with respect to a comprehensive medical standard for a medically meaningful and economically reasonable treatment of periprosthetic infections.