International Journal of Cardiovascular ResearchISSN: 2324-8602

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Case Report, Int J Cardiovasc Res Vol: 4 Issue: 5

A Cost Analysis of a Remote Home Support Programme for Infants with Major Congenital Heart Disease: Evidence from a Randomized Controlled Trial

Brian A McCrossan1,2*, Ashley M Agus3, Gareth J Morgan1,Brian Grant1, Andrew J Sands1, Brian G Craig1, Grainne E Crealey1 and Frank A Casey1,2
1Department of Paediatric Cardiology, Royal Belfast Hospital for Sick Children,Belfast, Northern Ireland, UK
2Department of Child Health, Queen’s University, Belfast, Northern Ireland, UK
3Northern Ireland Clinical Trials Unit, The Royal Hospitals, Northern Ireland,UK
Corresponding author : Brian A McCrossan
Department of Paediatric Cardiology, Royal Belfast Hospital for Sick Children, Falls Road, Belfast, BT 12 6BE, UK
Tel: +0044 (0)28 90632001; Fax: 0044 (0)28 90632878
E-mail: brianmccrossan@doctors.org.uk
Received: February 19, 2015 Accepted: May 19, 2015 Published: May 21, 2015
Citation: McCrossan BA, Agus AM, Morgan GJ, Grant B, Sands AJ, et al. (2015) A Cost Analysis of a Remote Home Support Programme for Infants with Major Congenital Heart Disease: Evidence from a Randomized Controlled Trial. Int J Cardiovasc Res 4:5. doi:10.4172/2324-8602.1000226

Abstract

A Cost Analysis of a Remote Home Support Programme for Infants with Major Congenital Heart Disease: Evidence from a Randomized Controlled Trial

Objective: Paediatric cardiology is a highly centralised subspecialty with patients living often living large distances from the tertiary care centre. A tele homecare programme for infants with major congenital heart disease (CHD) was devised to support patients and families during the stressful and vulnerable period following discharge from hospital. This study aimed to describe the costs and potential savings of a telemedicine home support programme for infants with major congenital heart disease (CHD).

Methods: A randomized controlled trial was performed at a UK tertiary paediatric cardiology centre. Infants with major CHD discharged home were randomized to one of three groups: Two intervention groups (Video support and Telephone support) and one control group (standard care). Patients in the two intervention groups received regular, standardised remote consultations. Video support initially provided by ISDN lines and later by a home broadband (IP) connection. The main outcome measure was a comparison of total cost to NHS of participants including cost of study interventions and health service utilisation.

Keywords: Congenital heart disease; Telemedicine; Home support; Economic analysist

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