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Cost–Benefit of Real-Time Multiplex PCR Testing of SARS-CoV-2 in German Hospitals

Author

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  • Roland Diel

    (Institute for Epidemiology, University Medical Hospital Schleswig-Holstein, Kiel, Airway Research Center North (ARCN), 24015 Kiel, Germany
    Lung Clinic Grosshansdorf, Germany, Airway Disease Center North (ARCN), German Center for Lung Research (DZL), 22949 Großhansdorf, Germany
    Institution for Statutory Accident Insurance and Prevention in the Health and Welfare Services (BGW), 22089 Hamburg, Germany)

  • Albert Nienhaus

    (Institution for Statutory Accident Insurance and Prevention in the Health and Welfare Services (BGW), 22089 Hamburg, Germany
    Institute for Health Service Research in Dermatology and Nursing, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, 20246 Hamburg, Germany)

Abstract

Background: The current Omicron COVID-19 pandemic has significant morbidity worldwide. Objective: Assess the cost–benefit relation of implementing PCR point-of-care (POCT) COVID-19 testing in the emergency rooms (ERs) of German hospitals and in the case of inpatient admission due to other acute illnesses. Methods: A deterministic decision-analytic model simulated the incremental costs of using the Savanna ® Multiplex RT-PCR test compared to using clinical judgement alone to confirm or exclude COVID-19 in adult patients in German ERs prior to hospitalization or just prior to discharge. Direct and indirect costs were evaluated from the hospital perspective. Nasal or nasopharyngeal swabs of patients suspected to have COVID-19 by clinical judgement, but without POCT, were sent to external labs for RT-PCR testing. Results: In probabilistic sensitivity analysis, assuming a COVID-19 prevalence ranging between 15.6–41.2% and a hospitalization rate between 4.3–64.3%, implementing the Savanna ® test saved, on average, €107 as compared to applying the clinical-judgement-only strategy. A revenue loss of €735 can be avoided when SARS-CoV-2 infection in patients coming unplanned to the hospital due to other acute illnesses are excluded immediately by POCT. Conclusions: Using highly sensitive and specific PCR-POCT in patients suspected of COVID-19 infection at German ERs may significantly reduce hospital expenditures.

Suggested Citation

  • Roland Diel & Albert Nienhaus, 2023. "Cost–Benefit of Real-Time Multiplex PCR Testing of SARS-CoV-2 in German Hospitals," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(4), pages 1-12, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:20:y:2023:i:4:p:3447-:d:1069994
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