A master thesis from Aalborg University
Budget-impact analysis on the restructuring of treatment for hemochromatosis patients in the Central Denmark Region
Author(s)
Term
4. term
Publication year
2020
Submitted on
2020-08-04
Pages
33 pages
Abstract
Hemochromatosis is a genetically inherited disorder affecting the inflicted individuals ability to metabolize iron, which if left untreated can start to accumulate in tissue and organs, eventually leading to serious complications. Current standard treatment for hemochromatosis patients in Denmark consists of periodic therapeutic phlebotomies to reduce the iron buildup. Some other countries have restructured this treatment method to instead be performed and managed at blood banks. This study aimed to investigate the economic consequences such a restructuring would have in a Danish perspective. A budget-impact model was constructed using data found through literature search and contact with experts at Aarhus University Hospital with experience in treating hemochromatosis patients. The time-frame of the model was set to 5 years, and the budget holder was identified as the Central Denmark Region. The budget-impact model found the treatment restructuring to be cost saving for the budget holder, saving an approximate 33,000 DKK over the 5 year time-frame, when evaluating based on the patients in treatment at Aarhus University Hospital, lowering the cost of hemochromatosis treatment by 5.6\%. The results were examined through different sensitivity analyses, with neither showing potential negative budgetary consequences for the budget holder Based on this studies results, the restructuring of hemochromatosis treatment were seen as a cost saving alternative compared to the current standard treatment, also bringing with it non-monetary benefits, such as allowing hemochromatosis patients to become blood donors through their treatment.
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