Rapid Access Chest Pain Clinics: An Australian Cost-Benefit Study

Area of Science:

• Health Economics
• Cardiology
• Healthcare Management

Background:

• Chest pain presents a significant healthcare burden globally and in Australia.
• Current management often involves costly specialist assessments and diagnostic tests, leading to unnecessary hospital admissions.
• There is a need for more efficient and effective chest pain management strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the cost-benefit of Rapid Access Chest Pain Clinics (RACCs) as an alternative to hospital admission.
• To determine the economic viability of the RACC model in managing patients presenting with chest pain.

Main Methods:

• A retrospective cost-benefit analysis was conducted over 12 months.
• Data were collected from RACCs established in three tertiary referral hospitals in Sydney.
• The primary outcome measure was the cost per patient.

Main Results:

• RACCs in Hospitals A, B, and C demonstrated consistent cost-benefits per patient, ranging from AUD$1,149.55 to AUD$1,196.88.
• The average cost per patient across the clinics was between AUD$427.12 and AUD$455.25.
• To be cost-beneficial, at least 26-29% of RACC patients would have otherwise required hospital admission.

Conclusions:

• The RACC model of care is a cost-beneficial strategy for managing chest pain in New South Wales, offering an alternative to inpatient care.
• Expanding RACCs nationally could yield substantial benefits for the Australian healthcare system.
• This model improves efficiency and reduces the economic burden associated with chest pain management.