Santamaría BAM, Vázquez AGF, Larraza RS, González CNP, Camacho BRI, Cruz ÁLA, Salinas AÁ

Language: Spanish
References: 13
Page: 8-16
PDF size: 351.45 Kb.

ABSTRACT

Objective: The main purpose of the study was to determine the cost-effective of the remote presence with robots (Telepresence) during the Pandemic of Influenza AH1N1.
Material and Methods: Retrospective cost-effective study. 61 patients with flu symptoms of Influenza AH1N1 were included. Acute care and isolated areas were rounded every day with an Rp-7i robot in three general hospitals located at distant cities from the capital city. The study period was from October 1st to December 31th 2009. Independent variables were: total cost of Telepresence program (Mexican pesos), cost for Influenza AH1N1 process, and cost per minute of transmission. Dependent variables: years of life adjusted for incapacity avoided, years of life lost due to premature dead, years of live with incapacity avoided adjusted to severity, total cost per years of life with incapacity avoided adjusted to severity, and cost per years of life with incapacity avoided per patient.
Results: The patients mean age was 47 yrs. (from 19 to 82 yrs.). The initial cost for the program of Telepresence was $ 21,910,950.00, Mexican pesos. The cost per Influenza AH1N1 process was $213,023.13, Mexican pesos. The cost per minute of transmission was $216.78 Mexican pesos. Years of life due to incapacity avoided 1084.62, years of live lost avoided 1,083.87, years of life with incapacity avoided 0.65, total cost per years of life with incapacity avoided $448,178.52 Mexican pesos; cost per years of life with incapacity avoided per patient $413.21 Mexican pesos.
Conclusion: The present study shows that Telepresence using robots in distant hospitals from the capital city, was an effective strategy for the care of patients with AH1N1 flu symptoms. Additionally, there was a cost-effective benefit with this strategy.

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