Supporting managerial decisions: a comparison of new robotic platforms through time-driven activity-based costing...

The advent of novel robotic platforms requires that managers base their decisions on the value these platforms generate. This study showcases how micro-costing methodologies can assist managers in the decision-making process regarding the implementation of new robotic platforms within the value-based healthcare (VBHC) framework.

We applied time-driven activity-based costing (TDABC) to evaluate cost disparities between the da Vinci and Hugo robotic systems for robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP). Data were collected from consecutively enrolled patients with organ-confined prostate cancer. Basic cost information was gathered from Azienda Universitaria Integrata di Verona's finance and pharmacy departments. We conducted cost and sensitivity analyses to evaluate the most cost-sensitive parameters.

The da Vinci system incurred higher total costs for RARP than the Hugo system (€4,97.21 vs. € 3,511.73, p-value < 0.001) However, excluding surgical kit costs, the da Vinci platform proved less expensive (€1,481.18 vs. €1,926.18, p-value < 0.001). Sensitivity analyses identified surgical kit costs as the most influential parameter, followed by surgical duration and platform costs.

This study highlights the importance of micro-costing practices in supporting managerial decisions within a VBHC framework. When clinical outcomes are equivalent, the value of robotic platforms is related to cost savings. By using TDABC and sensitivity analyses, managers can pinpoint critical activities and parameters to optimize the effective adoption of new platforms.