Abstract

Background: This study aimed to measure the opportunity income by identifying the economic length of stay (ELOS) which is the intersection point of daily revenue and cost on appendectomy and pneumonia cases.Methods: The research subjects were 460 patients of appendectomy and 606 patients of pneumonia, discharged from a general hospital between July 1, 2009 and June 30, 2010. ELOS calculated with both of total revenue on diagnosis-related group (DRG) and fee-for service (FFS). The cost is calculated by activity-based costing system of the hospital.Results: Average length of stay (ALOS) of appendectomy was 4.48 days and its average revenue per case were 1,710,215 (1,989,105) won by DRG (FFS). The variable cost was 491,262 won which was 28.7% (24.7%) of DRG (FFS) total revenue. And 97.2% of the total variable cost was incurred within 2 days from admission. The ELOS was 4 (5) days in DRG (FFS). Shortening three days (two days) would increase opportunity income 52.0% (82.2%) in DRG (FFS). ALOS of pneumonia case was 4.86 days and its average revenue per case were 489,448 (761,426) won by DRG (FFS). The variable cost was 27,230 won which was 5.6% (3.6%) of DRG (FFS) total revenue. Thirty-eight point nine percent of the daily variable cost was incurred in discharge date. The ELOS was 2 (4) days in DRS (FFS). Shortening three days (one day) would increase opportunity in-come 27.6% (37.2%) in DRG (FFS). Conclusion: The ELOS would be used by strategic index for achieving minimum profit and developing the ways to get there. But we also should not pass over that the opportunity income obtained by the reducing ALOS may cause some problem of quality.Keywords: Length of stay; Cost analysis; Appendectomy; Pneumonia

Talk to us

Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have

Schedule a call

Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.