Document Detail


Cost-benefit of the telecardiology service in the state of Minas Gerais: Minas Telecardio Project.
MedLine Citation:
PMID:  21808852     Owner:  NLM     Status:  Publisher    
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
BACKGROUND: Telecardiology is a tool that can aid in cardiovascular care, mainly in towns located in remote areas. However, economic assessments on this subject are scarce and have yielded controversial results. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the cost-benefit of implementing a Telecardiology service in remote, small towns in the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil. METHODS: The study used the database from the Minas Telecardio (MTC) Project, developed from June 2006 to November 2008, in 82 towns in the countryside of the state. Each municipality received a microcomputer with a digital electrocardiograph, with the possibility of transmitting ECG tracings and communicating with the on-duty cardiologist at the University hospital. The cost-benefit analysis was carried out by comparing the cost of performing an ECG in the project versus the cost of performing it by patient referral to another city. RESULTS: The average cost of an ECG in the MTC project was R$ 28.92, decomposed into R$ 8.08 for the cost of implementation and R$ 20.84 for maintenance. The cost simulation of the ECG with referral ranged from R$ 30.91 to R$ 54.58, with the cost-benefit ratio being always favorable to the MTC program, regardless of the type of calculation used for referral distance. The simulations considered the financial sponsor's and society's points-of-view. The sensitivity analysis with variation of calibration parameters confirmed these results. CONCLUSION: The implementation of a Telecardiology system as support to primary care in small Brazilian towns is feasible and economically beneficial, and can be used as a regular program within the Brazilian public health system.
Authors:
Mônica Viegas Andrade; Ana Carolina Maia; Clareci Silva Cardoso; Maria Beatriz Alkmim; Antônio Luiz Pinho Ribeiro
Publication Detail:
Type:  JOURNAL ARTICLE     Date:  2011-7-29
Journal Detail:
Title:  Arquivos brasileiros de cardiologia     Volume:  -     ISSN:  1678-4170     ISO Abbreviation:  -     Publication Date:  2011 Jul 
Date Detail:
Created Date:  2011-8-2     Completed Date:  -     Revised Date:  -    
Medline Journal Info:
Nlm Unique ID:  0421031     Medline TA:  Arq Bras Cardiol     Country:  -    
Other Details:
Languages:  ENG; POR     Pagination:  -     Citation Subset:  -    
Affiliation:
Centro de Telessaúde do Hospital das Clínicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais.
Vernacular Title:
Custo-benefício do serviço de telecardiologia no Estado de Minas Gerais: Projeto Minas Telecardio.
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