Abstract

Rationale: In today’s economic climate with a focus on limiting public spending, the provision of effective and efficient care has never been more important. A Randomised Controlled Trial (RCT) by Barlow et al (2008) concluded that the use of EEN versus standard management of nil by mouth (STD) reduced length of hospital stay (LOHS) by 3 days (16 versus 19 days; p < 0.023) and improved clinical outcomes. It is assumed that patients who have a reduce LOHS decrease healthcare expenditure (Kalish, 1995). Methods: The aim of this study was to determine the costs of two differing treatment arms of a RCT. After patients gave their consent, they were randomised to either EEN or STD. The costs of the differences in length of hospital stays, and the costs of treating the statistically significant different major complications were calculated for both groups. All other costs attributed to the development of non-significant complications were assumed to be similar for the two randomised groups. Results: Ninety-six patients were studied (EEN group (n = 54) and (STD group N = 42)). The cost for standard group per patient was £5,113 (SD £3,958 10,425) and the cost for the EEN group was £3,872 (SD £3,130 5,110) per patient. Therefore EEN led to cost reduction in the region of £1241 (SD £828 5,315) per patient. Conclusion: This study has indicated that the use of EEN when compared to traditional management, improves clinical outcome, reduces LOHS and could provide a cost benefit in the region of £1000 per patient.

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