Indian Journal of Pharmacology Medknow Publications on behalf of Indian Pharmacological Society ISSN: 0253-7613 EISSN: 1998-3751 Vol. 40, Num. 2, 2008, pp. 78-83

Indian Journal of Pharmacology, Vol. 40, No. 2, March-April, 2008, pp. 78-83

Research Article

Economic impact of interventional study on rational use of antiseptics and disinfectants in Super Speciality Hospital of Nagpur

Agarwal Vandana, Gharpure Kunda, Thawani Vijay, Makhija Sushil, Thakur Anita, Powar Rajaram

Government Medical College, Nagpur - 440 003
Correspondence Address:Government Medical College, Nagpur - 440 003
vijaythawani@rediffmail.com

Date of Submission: 08-Jul-2007
Date of Decision: 20-Mar-2008
Date of Acceptance: 10-May-2008

Code Number: ph08028

Abstract

Keywords: Antiseptics, disinfectants, cost containment

The health care industry has devoted relatively little technical talent and intellectual effort in optimizing its operations. This neglect has contributed to the development of a high-cost delivery system with poor performance and highly uneven reach of quality care. ^[1] The economic objective of a medicine supply system is to ensure provision of safe, effective and good quality medicines at minimum possible cost. Efficient supply management system must also ensure fewer stock shortages and fewer losses of medicines. ^[2] Value analysis and cost reduction are common features of enhancing product value by improving the relationship of worth to cost and then taking steps to perform the same function cheaply. ^[3] Cost reduction represents real reduction in unit cost of services rendered without impairing the suitability in the use for which it is intended. This is brought about by elimination of wasteful elements and at the same time retaining its essential characteristics and quality. Essential features of cost reduction are planned approach, co-operation and team work. Whereas cost control is a routine exercise to improve operational efficiency, cost reduction program is a planned approach, which is based on co-operation, at all levels, operational and procedural research and proper follow-up. Techniques used to attain cost reduction are value analysis, standardization and rationalization. ^[3] This economic principle when applied to hospital inventory takes into consideration the reduced cost of medicines through procurement, supply chain efficiencies, human resource management, inventory control, and disease burden. However, studies on rational use of antiseptics and disinfectants (A and D) and the resultant cost containment are not available in literature.

Super Speciality Hospital (SSH) is an autonomous 120-bedded hospital of Government Medical College, Nagpur. Started in 1995 by the Government of Maharashtra to provide specialized care in cardiology, nephrology, neurology and gastroenterology, it has its own medical store with independent medicine purchase and distribution system. During the economic analysis, done as a part of managerial exercise, it was noticed that the annual expenditure on A and D in SSH was increasing which was disproportionate to the increase in patient attendance and services. The issue was discussed with SSH Infection Control Team (ICT), whose surveillance report revealed that the concentrations and indications for use of A and D were not as per the standard recommendations. ^[4] These deficiencies coupled with lack of data on rational use of A and D and resultant cost burden prompted us to undertake this study adopting rationalization of A and D as an intervention for cost reduction and measurement of the outcome in economic terms vis-à-vis the annual total medicine expenditure.

Materials and Methods

This study was conducted from October 2003 to March 2007. It was divided into three phases with additional follow-up.

Phase I - Pre-interventional phase (October 2003 to September 2004): It comprised of analyzing the purchase, stocking and distribution of A and D. During this phase, the distribution policy for A and D was to supply what was demanded by the users.

Phase II - Interventional phase (October 2004 to September 2005): It comprised of information, education and communication (IEC) measures like preparing and disseminating recommendations for rational use of A and D and conducting training for the end users for proper use of A and D. During this phase the distribution of A and D was rationed. The intervention was executed in three steps:

Step I: IEC and training to rationalize the use of A and D: The ICT staff during weekly rounds imparted teaching on rational use of A and D to medical and paramedical staff. Recommendations for rational use of A and D based on the guidelines of National AIDS Control Organization (NACO), India ^[4] were prepared and handouts distributed liberally to all departments, wards, operation rooms and also pasted at all workstations of the users for ready reference (Annexure 1). Guidelines for disinfection and sterilization of hospital articles were prepared as per the recommendations of NACO. Handouts of these were distributed to all hospital staff, including nursing staff for implementation (Annexure 2). Interactive demonstrations were organized once a month for the nursing staff to update their knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP). Interactive training for the attendants and sanitary workers was conducted for re-enforcement of education. Handouts were distributed to sanitary workers in local vernacular language and questions encouraged from them. A mobile workshop on wheels was conducted during which the correct use of A and D for disinfecting articles was shown. Demonstrations were given on preparation of correct concentrations of A and D and disinfection of hospital waste prior to disposal. Annexure 1, Annexure 2

Step 2: Monitoring the efficacy of in-use disinfectants: The in-use test was performed during phase II and III at monthly intervals to confirm that the chosen disinfectants viz. benzalkonium chloride, glutaraldehyde and sodium hypochlorite were effective under the actual in-use conditions, in recommended concentrations and for the recommended period of use. The test was performed on diluted disinfectants after they were used and left overnight as per the recommended procedure. ^[5] During this 1 ml of the disinfectant was diluted in 9 ml of nutrient broth and mixed well. Then 0.02 ml of the mixture was spot inoculated onto ten different areas of each of the two nutrient agar plates. One plate was incubated at 37° C for three days and the other plate was incubated at room temperature for seven days. The test was read as showing failure of disinfectant if there was growth in more than five areas on either plate.

Step 3: Formulation of rational policy for A and D distribution: The quantity of various A and D to be distributed monthly by the SSH medical store was calculated on the basis of

1. Indication for use as per NACO recommendations
2. Working concentration as per NACO recommendation
3. Manufacturers guidelines
4. Clinical need based on patient attendance
5. Number of procedures/investigations performed
6. The floor space area.

Information about the floor space was procured from Public Works Department, Government of Maharashtra of SSH Nagpur. The distribution quantity was calculated by adding 10% excess allowance to the quantity required for each A and D and this figure was then rounded to the nearest unit pack size (Annexure 3). To check the possible pilferage, the policy of taking empty containers back before issuing the next indent was started.

Phase III - Post interventional phase (October 2005 to September 2006): During this phase the distribution policy of A and D was strictly adhered to as per the quantity calculated in step 3 of phase II.

Follow-up (October 2006 to March 2007): The impact of the intervention was reassessed after six months of completion of phase III for sustenance of effect.

Data collection
The patient related data was obtained from the medical record section of SSH. Computerized data on annual patient attendance and number of annual procedures and investigations during each phase of the study was retrieved from respective sections. The A and D related computerized data was obtained from the medical store of SSH. Seven A and D were on hospital purchase list viz. benzalkonium chloride (B), glutaraldehyde (G), sodium hypochlorite (H), hydrogen peroxide (HP), iodine (I), phenyl (P), and denatured spirit (S). The annual unit distribution, average cost per unit and annual expenditure was calculated for each A and D during each phase of the study.

Results

The floor space areas in square meters were found to be 938.3 for each in-patient department, 1220.2 for operation theatre complex, 382.3 each for blood bank and Biochemistry dept, 503.8 for Pathology and Microbiology departments combined, 299.7 for Radiology and 785.4 for common areas (porch, corridors, stair case and administrative block). The actual area in use showed minor variation, which was considered in calculating the effective floor area for each department. The effective in-use floor area remained constant for the entire study period.

[Table - 1] shows the turnover of patients and services in SSH. There is a noticeable increase in the annual patient attendance from phase I to phase III. A marked increase in patient service utilization was seen in Cardiology, CVTS, Microbiology, Blood bank and Biochemistry department because of introduction of some newer procedures and investigations, while others did not show much variance. Comparison of patient attendance and procedure-load in phase I and phase III showed significant increase ( P = 0.0448). Annexure 3

[Table - 2] shows that there is a progressive decline in the annual unit consumption of A and D from phase I to phase III. Maximum decrease (174 units) was seen in the use of hydrogen peroxide by Nephrology department. Maximum increase (63 units) was seen in use of denatured spirit in operation rooms. In phase I, there was probably maximum irrational use of A and D by Nephrology, followed by Gastroenterology and Cardiology departments. This is evident from the decrease in all A and D after implementation of the rational policy in phase III. The decrease in use was statistically significant for B, H and P ( P < 0.05).

The decline in unit consumption was reflected in the decrease in expenditure of A and D in spite of the inflationary increase in unit cost [Table - 3]. The monetary saving was calculated taking the cost of the individual A and D for the year in phase III. In phase I the expenditure was INR 2,67,188 while in phase III it came down to INR 2,11,891 ( P < 0.05). The total saving thus amounted to INR 55, 297 which was 20.69%.

[Table - 4] shows the total medicine expenditure for consecutive financial years from 2001 to 2007 and the corresponding expenditure on A and D. It can be appreciated that the intervention has been able to check the expenditure of A and D considerably. The expenditure on A and D out of the total medicine expenditure in the years before intervention was progressively on the rise (3.4%, 4.8%, 6.2%) which came down to 3.8% and then to 2.7% after intervention. It was found that for 2005-06, the total medicine expenditure was paradoxically less (21.64 lacs) because of non-supply of medicines from the regular suppliers, while A and D stock was maintained as found by us from the stock out periods. Hence, the percentage spent on A and D in that year is higher at 7% of the total medicine expenditure.

Ours being a super speciality hospital, the patient intake and procedures performed can never be consistent because the procedures and investigations are very specific to the patients. This is evident from the variable figures of annual medicine expenditure.

The in-use test showed that for each of the three disinfectants viz. benzalkonium chloride, glutaraldehyde and sodium hypochlorite, the organism load was within the permissible limits on all occasions, which confirmed that the concentrations and procedures recommended by us for use of A and D were effective.

[Figure - 1] shows that during 2001-03 the annual expenditure on A and D was steadily rising, and suddenly dropped after the intervention, indicating the effect of interventions. If the 2001-03 data is extrapolated to get the future trend line, in the absence of any intervention, it shows a linear rise. Because of fluctuating annual patient population the forecast could not be done for total expenditure on all medicines.

Discussion

Rational use - Rationalizing use of available resources leads to better management enabling distribution system to work efficiently. In our study rationalizing the use of A and D led to a noticeable decline in the utilization of the A and D. Involving all user cadres in implementing the policy had a definite advantage. From the economic aspect, this study gives us reason to proclaim that the IEC intervention has succeeded in cost reduction. It was observed that the quantity of A and D calculated for issuing to the user facilities was on the higher side and the demand from them was within this permitted quantity. In some cases like the increase in use of spirit in OT and OPD, this was due to increased awareness about its proper utilization, which was perhaps not there earlier.

Efficacy - In interventional as well as post-interventional phases, monitoring the efficacy of A and D was done to ensure that the purpose of the disinfectant was not lost. In spite of the decrease in the quantity of A and D issued to almost all departments, the test of in-use A and D was a success. It shows that the A and D available on SSH purchase list were capable of taking care of all the disinfection and antiseptic procedures in the recommended dilutions.

Decrease in wastage - Through the implementation of the intervention, it was possible to check the irrational use of A and D thus decreasing the wastage, paving way for optimal utilization of the resources.

Pilferage - The policy of issuing of fresh supplies against return of empty containers was deterrent to pilferage of A and D.

The outlier - The annual medicine expenditure for the year 2005-2006 was far below the average expenditure of the previous five years. This was probed into and it was found that the medicine purchase orders worth INR 47.32 lakhs were placed with regular suppliers but due to reasons beyond the control of medical stores, the supply of medicines was poor, causing many medicine stock outs. However, for A and D under study, out of seven, four were available throughout this period. Therefore, during this period the expenditure on A and D out of total medicine expenditure was disproportionately high (7%). This was also due to the fact that in absence of supplies from regular suppliers, purchases of A and D were made at a higher price from local market to cater to the hospital needs.

Regression analysis : The expenditure on A and D in pre intervention years showed a typical rising trend. Extrapolating these values for our study period using regression line for further four years, showed clearly the expected rise. As against this, the actual expenditure decreased throughout the study years and the effect of interventions continued for the next six-month period showing a sustained effect.

A study on material management system in public health care has identified areas for possible time and cost reduction. ^[6] Ways of cost containment in hospitals have been suggested in another study. ^[7] Material management has taken over the health sector so extensively that professional agencies provide services for cost containment programmes. ^[8],[9] A management group claims to have reduced cost of medicines used in primary care by 60% of retail price through procurement and supply chain efficiencies. Similarly, hypertension treatment cost was reduced by 80% to INR 10 per month through scientific classification of patients based on disease burden. ^[8]

Conclusion

Acknowledgment

References

Copyright 2008 - Indian Journal of Pharmacology

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