Ava Yap, Arlene Muzira, Maija Cheung
Nov 1, 2018
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Influential Citations
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Quality indicators
Journal
Surgery
Abstract
Abstract This study examines the cost‐effectiveness of constructing a dedicated pediatric operating room (OR) in Uganda, a country where access to surgical care is limited to 4 pediatric surgeons serving a population of over 20 million children under 15 years of age. Methods A simulation model using a decision tree template was developed to project the cost and disability‐adjusted life‐years saved by a pediatric OR in a low‐income setting. Parameters are informed by patient outcomes of the surgical procedures performed. Costs of the OR equipment and a literature review were used to calculate the incremental cost‐effectiveness ratio of a pediatric OR. One‐way and probabilistic sensitivity analysis were performed to assess parameter uncertainty. Economic monetary benefit was calculated using the value of a statistical life approach. Results A pediatric OR averted a total of 6,447 disability‐adjusted life‐years /year (95% uncertainty interval 6,288–6,606) and cost $41,182/year (UI 40,539–41,825) in terms of OR installation. The pediatric operating room had an incremental cost‐effectiveness ratio of $6.39 per disability‐adjusted life‐year averted (95% uncertainty interval of 6.19‐6.59), or $397.95 (95% uncertainty interval of 385.41‐410.67) per life saved based on the country's average life expectancy in 2015. These values were well within the WHO guidelines of cost‐effectiveness threshold. The net economic benefit amounted to $5,336,920 for a year of operation, or $16,371 per patient. The model remained robust with one‐way and probabilistic sensitivity analyses. Conclusion The construction of a pediatric operating room in Uganda is a cost‐effective and worthwhile investment, endorsing future decisions to enhance pediatric surgical capacity in the resource‐limited settings of Sub‐Saharan Africa.