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[Ultrasound-guided umbilical venous catheterisation: A cost-effectiveness analysis]
Francisco Javier Guzmán-de la Garza1, Argelia Dardane Laredo-Flores2, Bárbara Cárdenas-Del Castillo2
1Departamento de Fisiología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León, Edificio Ciencias Médicas II, Monterrey, Nuevo León, México; Unidad de Investigación Epidemiológica y en Servicios de Salud/Centro de Investigación Biomédica del Noreste, Delegación Nuevo León, Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social, Monterrey, Nuevo León, México.
Introduction:
Although the use of ultrasound for the insertion of central catheters has proven to be cost-effective in adults, it is not known if this is the case in the neonatal population. This study compared the cost-effectiveness of ultrasound-guided umbilical venous catheterisation with conventional catheterisation in a neonatal intensive care unit of a Public University Hospital.
Patients And Methods:
A retrospective observational study was conducted on newborns that required an umbilical venous catheter before completing their first 24hours of extra-uterine life. Two retrospective cohorts were formed, including one with ultrasound-guided catheterisation and the other with conventional catheterisation. The effectiveness was measured using 2 variables: placement of ideal position and insertion without complications. The cost of human and material resources (consumable and non-consumable), the cost-effectiveness ratio, and the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio were estimated, as well as carrying out a sensitivity analysis.
Results:
Catheter obstruction was more frequent in guided catheterisation than in conventional catheterisation (7.7% vs. 0%, p=.04) and catheter dysfunction was higher in the latter (79% vs. 3.8%, p<.0001). The cost-effectiveness ratio of the guided catheterisation was €153.9, and €484.6 for the conventional one. The incremental cost-effectiveness ratio was €45.5. The sensitivity analysis showed a €2.6 increase in the cost-effectiveness ratio of the guided catheterisation and €47 in the conventional one.
Conclusions:
The use of ultrasound to guide umbilical catheterisation is more efficient than conventional catheterisation since, despite using more economic resources, it offers greater effectiveness.
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