Cost savings with transcutaneous screening versus total serum bilirubin measurement for newborn jaundice in hospital and community settings: a cost-minimization analysis

Abstract

Background:

Leading authorities in North America recommend universal screening via total serum bilirubin (TSB) measurement or transcutaneous bilirubinometry (TcB) for kernicterus prevention. We assessed costs associated with these 2 screening methods in hospital and in urban and rural community settings.

Methods:

Our tertiary care centre in Saskatoon, with about 5600 births per year, serves the local population of 300 000; in addition, 30% of patients are referred from outside the local community and surrounding area. We obtained health administrative data for two 6-month periods: before (June 1 to Nov. 30, 2015 [TSB program]) and after (June 1 to Nov. 30, 2016 [TcB–TSB program]) implementation of universal screening with TcB. Data on nurses’ time and mileage were collected to assess the mean time for screening and sample transportation. We performed a cost-minimization analysis.

Results:

The observed requirement for TSB blood draws decreased by 71.4% after implementation of TcB (1383.2/1000 live births to 397.8/1000 live births), whereas the overall number of screens increased from 1383.2 to 2758.6/1000 live births. The mean time per screen decreased from 12.52 (95% confidence interval [CI] 10.44–14.59) minutes with TSB to 2.94 (95% CI 2.55–3.33) minutes with TcB ( p < 0.001). The estimated cost per TcB screen in hospital and community (urban and rural) settings was $3.54 and $3.76, respectively, and the estimated cost per TSB screen in hospital and in urban and rural community settings was $15.82, $50.21 and $65.03, respectively. The estimated overall 6-month savings with the TcB–TSB hospital and community programs were $19 760 and $6417, respectively.

Interpretation:

The TcB–TSB program reduced nurses’ time to screen and provided immediate results at the point of care. Transcutaneous bilirubinometry reduced the requirement for painful heel pokes while improving access to screening and decreasing the overall program cost.