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26-11-2021 | Sleep Apnea | Sleep Breathing Physiology and Disorders • Original Article

Multiple-access versus telemedicine home-based sleep apnea testing for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) diagnosis: a cost-minimization study

Authors: Marcello Di Pumpo, Mario Cesare Nurchis, Antonio Moffa, Lucrezia Giorgi, Lorenzo Sabatino, Peter Baptista, Lorenzo Sommella, Manuele Casale, Gianfranco Damiani

Published in: Sleep and Breathing | Issue 4/2022

Abstract

Purpose

The aim of the present study was to compare two clinical pathways: the multiple-access outpatient pathway versus the telemedicine pathway.

Methods

The multiple-access outpatient pathway and the telemedicine pathway were both performed with WatchPAT and implemented in a real-life healthcare scenario, adopting a cost-minimization approach. A cost-minimization analysis was undertaken to assess the economic impact of the two alternatives. The cost analyses were performed in euros for the year 2021 adopting the patient, the hospital, and the societal perspectives. Given the chosen perspectives, direct medical costs, direct nonmedical costs, and indirect costs were considered. In addition, a univariate sensitivity analysis was conducted.

Results

From a hospital perspective, the telemedicine approach was estimated to cost €49 more than the multiple-access alternative. Considering the patient perspective, the telemedicine approach was estimated to cost €167 less than the multiple-access pathway. Considering the societal perspective, the telemedicine approach is estimated to cost €119 less than the multiple-access pathway.

Conclusion

The adoption of telemedicine home sleep apnea testing could improve the efficiency of the healthcare processes if considering the direct and indirect costs incurred by patients and not only by healthcare providers.

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Title: Multiple-access versus telemedicine home-based sleep apnea testing for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) diagnosis: a cost-minimization study
Authors: Marcello Di Pumpo
Mario Cesare Nurchis
Antonio Moffa
Lucrezia Giorgi
Lorenzo Sabatino
Peter Baptista
Lorenzo Sommella
Manuele Casale
Gianfranco Damiani
Publication date: 26-11-2021
Publisher: Springer International Publishing
Keywords: Sleep Apnea
Telemedicine
Published in: Sleep and Breathing / Issue 4/2022
Print ISSN: 1520-9512
Electronic ISSN: 1522-1709
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11325-021-02527-5

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