Faculty Collaboration Database

Surgical management of congenital heart disease: correlation between hospital costs and the Aristotle complexity score. Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 2010 Sep;58(6):322-7

Date

09/09/2010

Pubmed ID

20824582

DOI

10.1055/s-0030-1249866

Scopus ID

2-s2.0-77956655058 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site)   12 Citations

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Hospital costs are expected to correlate with clinical complexity. Do costs for congenital heart surgery correlate with Aristotle complexity scores?

METHODS: 442 inpatient stays in 2008 were evaluated. Aristotle scores and levels were determined. Costs were estimated according to the German Institute for Hospital Reimbursement system. Pearson and Spearman R correlation coefficients and corresponding goodness-of-fit regression coefficients R2 were calculated.

RESULTS: Mean basic and comprehensive Aristotle scores were 7.60 +/- 2.74 and 9.23 +/- 2.94 points, respectively. Mean expenses per hospital stay amounted to 29,369 +/- 30,823 Euros. Aristotle basic and comprehensive scores and levels were positively correlated with hospital costs. With a Spearman R of 1 and related R2 of 0.9436, scores of the 6 Aristotle comprehensive levels correlated best. Mean hospital reimbursement was 26,412 +/- 17,962 Euros. Compensation was higher than expenses for patients in comprehensive levels 1 to 3, but much lower for those in levels 4 to 6.

CONCLUSIONS: Aristotle comprehensive complexity scores were highly correlated with hospital costs. The Aristotle score could be used as a scale to establish the correct reimbursement after congenital heart surgery.

Author List

Sinzobahamvya N, Kopp T, Photiadis J, Arenz C, Schindler E, Haun C, Hraska V, Asfour B

Author

Viktor Hraska MD Professor in the Surgery department at Medical College of Wisconsin

MESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold

Cardiac Surgical Procedures
Critical Care
Germany
Heart Defects, Congenital
Hospital Costs
Hospital Mortality
Humans
Infant
Infant, Newborn
Inpatients
Insurance, Health, Reimbursement
Length of Stay
Models, Economic
Respiration, Artificial
Risk Assessment
Risk Factors
Severity of Illness Index
Time Factors
Treatment Outcome