Using non-invasive ventilation in wards may save British hospitals money

Ward based non-invasive ventilation is a highly cost effective treatment that reduces total costs and improves mortality in hospital. The main reason for the cost saving is reduced use of intensive care units, according to Plant and colleagues (p 956). They conducted an economic analysis of a randomised controlled trial in 14 centres, which included a total of 236 patients admitted to hospital with acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and respiratory acidosis. Twenty four patients randomised to receive standard treatment died, compared with 12 randomised to non-invasive ventilation. The cost saving in the group allocated to non-invasive ventilation was £49 000 ($77 975; 70 991).

(Credit: LARRY MULVEHILL/SPL)

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Relevant Article

Cost effectiveness of ward based non-invasive ventilation for acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: economic analysis of randomised controlled trial

P K Plant, J L Owen, S Parrott, and M W Elliott
BMJ 2003 326: 956. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]