• J F Guest, O Boyd, W M Hart, R M Grounds, and E D Bennett.
• Catalyst Healthcare Communications, Comberton, Cambridge, UK.
• Intensive Care Med. 1997 Jan 1;23(1):85-90.

ObjectiveTo investigate the cost implications of a treatment policy of a deliberate perioperative increase of oxygen delivery in high risk surgical patients.DesignA cost-effectiveness analysis comparing 'protocol' high risk surgical patients in whom oxygen delivery was specifically targeted towards 600 ml/min/m2 with 'control' patients.InterventionsIn a randomised, controlled clinical trial we previously demonstrated a significant reduction in mortality (5.7% vs 22.2%, p = 0.015) and morbidity (0.68 +/- 0.16 complications vs 1.35 +/- 0.20, p = 0.008) in 'protocol' high risk surgical patients in whom oxygen delivery was specifically targeted towards 600 ml/min per m2 compared with 'control' patients. This current study retrospectively analysed the medical care and National Health Service resource use of each patient in the trial. Departmental purchasing records and business managers were consulted to identify the unit cost of these resources, and thereby the cost of treating each patient was calculated.ResultsThe median cost of treating a protocol patient was lower than for a control patient (6,525 pounds vs 7,784 pounds) and this reduction was due mainly to a decrease in the cost of treating postoperative complications (median 213 pounds vs 668 pounds). The cost of obtaining a survivor was 31% lower in the protocol group.ConclusionPerioperative increase of oxygen delivery in high risk surgical patients not only improves survival, but also provides an actual and relative cost saving. This may have important implications for the management of these patients and the funding of intensive care.

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