MEDPass Cost Analysis – Pilot Study
MEDPass or conventional administration? A health economic analysis to compare administration modes of oral nutritional supplements. A pilot study.
Factsheet
- Schools involved School of Health Professions
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Institute(s)
Nutrition and Dietetics
Institute of Health Economics and Health Policy - Funding organisation Others
- Duration 01.12.2024 - 30.06.2026
- Head of project Silvia Kurmann
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Project staff
Katja Uhlmann
Prof. Dr. Katharina Blankart
Niklaus Meier - Partner Nestlé
Situation
According to current evidence, the administration mode of oral nutritional supplements (ONS) does not influence health outcomes such as energy- or protein intake, body weight or hand grip strength. However, nursing staff subjectively rates the MEDPass administration as simpler and more efficient than the conventional administration. This suggests potential time and cost savings. In a preliminary health economic analysis, time and cost savings are evaluated.
Course of action
The health economic analysis is conducted on the basis of time-driven activity-based costing. Initially, processes concerning ONS administration are analysed with the partner clinic. Based on the results, a time-tracking-template is created and five days in both administration modes are tracked and evaluated. The power-analysis for the main trial is generated from these results. Furthermore, a projection for cost-savings for the Swiss health care system is simulated within the pilot study.
Result
Twelf patient days were tracked. Process steps involving the administration of ONS in the MEDPass administration mode took on average 8:05 minutes patient day compared to 10:19 minutes in the non-standardized administration. The hypothesis that the MEDPass administration saves time and health care staff resources stands to reason after the pilot study. The power analysis suggested that n=88 patient days need to be tracked in the main study. The simulation of the health economic analysis was successful.
Looking ahead
Due to the sample size, this hypothesis must be investigated within a well-powered study. The study protocol was feasible and is currently implemented in the main study.
