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The hidden cost of audit
1Department of Orthopaedics, Royal Preston Hospital.
Annals of the Royal College of Surgeons of England
|January 1, 1997
Summary
The hidden costs of medical audit meetings are substantial, potentially costing the UK millions annually. Modifying current practices could significantly reduce these expenses with little impact on the audit process.
Area of Science:
- Healthcare Management
- Health Economics
- Medical Auditing
Background:
- Significant funding is allocated for medical audit implementation.
- Indirect costs, particularly those associated with meetings, are often overlooked.
- Previous analyses have not comprehensively assessed the financial burden of medical audit meetings.
Purpose of the Study:
- To quantify the indirect costs of medical audit meetings.
- To estimate the financial impact on a specific hospital trust and extrapolate to national figures.
- To identify potential cost-saving strategies for medical audit meetings.
Main Methods:
- Cost analysis of medical audit meetings at Preston Acute Hospitals (PAH) Trust.
- Extrapolation of PAH Trust costs to national estimates for England and Wales.
- Evaluation of current practices to identify areas for cost reduction.
Main Results:
- Potential annual cost to PAH Trust is £678,000.
- This cost could be reduced to 14% of the current figure by changing practices.
- Estimated hidden annual cost for England and Wales could reach £106 million.
Conclusions:
- Medical audit meetings represent a significant, often hidden, financial cost.
- Modifying current practices offers substantial opportunities for cost reduction.
- Cost savings can be achieved with minimal negative impact on the effectiveness of the medical audit process.