Abstract
We reported the cost comparisons in bipolar hemiarthroplasty (BHP) for femoral neck fracture in 24 elderly patients who underwent BHP from April, 2000 to March, 2001. The case records were divided into three groups : group A ; five patients aged 50 to 65 years, group B ; 10 patients aged 66 to 80 years, and group C ; nine patients aged more than 81 years. The relationships of medical cost with length of hospital stay, age, and pre-operative complications were investigated. The mean length of hospital stay was 31.6 days in group A, 37.5 days in group B, and 40.2 days in group C. The pre-operative complication rate was 80%, 50%, and 78%, respectively. The mean medical costs for the three groups were 2, 200, 000 yen, 2, 420, 000 yen, and 2, 340, 000 yen, respectively. There were statistical correlations between length of hospital stay and medical cost (r=0.631).
The results of this study showed that the prolongation of hospital stay resulted in an increase of the total medical cost. Due to the aging population, medical insurance systems have been facing extremely severe financial conditions since the total medical cost has increased.
