Highlights ■ Rigid cystoscopy requires greater resources and generates higher overall costs. ■ Flexible cystoscopy substantially shortens the waiting time for diagnosis. ■ Cost advantages of flexible cystoscopy persist even under conservative assumptions. ABSTRACT Introduction: The Brazilian Public Health System predominantly performs cystoscopy in hospitals using rigid cystoscopes in operating room settings. This approach results in high operational costs and scheduling delays associated with hospital admission and preoperative protocols. Flexible cystoscopy can be performed in an outpatient setting and may […]

Highlights ■ Analysis of childbirth methods using national databases isessential for informing maternal–fetal health policies and research. ■ This retrospective cross-sectional study examined national and regional delivery mode trends in the Brazilian Public Health System, comparing pre- and post-COVID-19 periods to address gaps in the literature. ■ Marked regional differences were identified in delivery mode trends and associated outcomes. ABSTRACT Objective To compare the volume, public funding, and in-hospital outcomes of vaginal deliveries and cesarean sections within the Brazilian Public […]

Highlights ■ A total of 89% of the 3,136 legal demands sought medication. ■ Androgen inhibitors amounted to 78.8% of all lawsuits, particularly abiraterone. ■ There is a growth tendency in judicialization, with a 30-fold increase over 4 years. ■ The estimated annual financial burden of judicialization on the Brazilian United Public Health System has reached BRL 783 million. ABSTRACT Objective: Considering the difficulties of Brazil’s Public Health System in providing comprehensive care, the present article aimed to assess legal […]

Highlights ■ Vendor Neutral Archive implementation has an return on investment of 5.63% in the first year and 10.12% after three years. ■ At least 11,500 exams are needed annually for a positive return on investment in the first year after implementation. ■ Vendor Neutral Archive enhances interoperability and efficiency by standardizing and centralizing image storage. ■ Scalability is key: higher adoption of Vendor Neutral Archive leads to greater financial and operational benefits. ABSTRACT Objective: To conduct an ex-ante cost-benefit […]

Highlights ■ Micro-costing showed high per-admission costs (US$ 1,427.70) for maternal near miss. ■ Reimbursement values (US$ 973) underestimate true hospital costs. ■ Brazil’s economic burden estimated at US$ 86 million (2019). ■ Most maternal near miss events stem from preventable causes. ABSTRACT Objective: This study aimed to estimate the hospital costs of maternal near miss cases from both the institutional and Brazilian Public Health System perspectives in a reference maternitiy hospital. Methods: This cost-of-illness study used primary data collected […]

Highlights ■ Using the Time-Driven Activity-Based Costing method in healthcare services enables resource maximization with better control of processes and financing. ■ The estimated cost of treating a patient per antineoplastic session is R$ 470,35. ■ Such analyses can help establish pricing strategies and identify necessary adjustments to the financing model in oncology. ABSTRACT Objective: To identify the costs pertaining to the preparation and administration process of each chemotherapy treatment session in a public oncology hospital belonging to the Brazilian […]

ABSTRACT Introduction: Technical Support Centers of the Judiciary (NATJUST), provide health technology assessments to judges in health-related litigations against both public and private healthcare systems. These centers provide technical notes, that can assist Brazilian Courts in making provisional rulings and determining patient access to health services during legal proceedings. Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the impact of NATJUS technical notes on preliminary injunctions in lawsuits against the Brazilian Unified Health System. Specifically, we analyzed the alignment between judicial decisions […]

Highlights ■ The treatment of Hepatorenal Syndrome places a huge economic burden on healthcare systems. ■ Cost analysis studies of Hepatorenal Syndrome management can help to rationally allocate resources in healthcare. ■ Timely diagnosis and management of Hepatorenal Syndrome may reduce mortality, resource utilization and costs. ABSTRACT Objective: The purpose of this study was to describe the direct medical costs incurred in Brazil for the treatment of Hepatorenal Syndrome in intensive care and intermediate therapy care units, and to investigate […]

Highlights The highest cost is for materials, followed by the staff’s labor costs. The total cost of peripherally inserted central catheterization is US$ 217.14. Measuring the estimated average direct cost allows financial visibility of the inputs used. ABSTRACT Objective: This study aimed to estimate the direct costs of peripherally inserted central catheterization by nurses for hospitalized patients. Methods: A cost estimation study using a quantitative approach was conducted in a public teaching hospital in northern Paraná to calculate the direct […]

Highlights Radiofrequency ablation and percutaneous ethanol injection are neoadjuvant hepatocellular carcinoma treatment methods. Radiofrequency ablation achieves a higher complete response rate (96.3% versus 60.0%, p=0.001). Total cost analyses showed radiofrequency ablation as a more expensive method (p<0.001). The incremental cost-effectiveness ratio was US$ -2674.59 with an advantage for radiofrequency ablation. Incremental effectiveness (34.2%) was in favor of radiofrequency ablation versus percutaneous ethanol injection. ABSTRACT Objective: This study assessed the cost-effectiveness of radiofrequency ablation compared with percutaneous ethanol injection in patients […]