Table 4 Resource use and unit cost data (costs are shown in pound sterling for the year 2010–11)
Resource | Mean unit cost | Distribution for PSAa | Source | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Insertion of VTs | £891 | Gamma ~ (130.45, 6.83) | NSRC1b 2010–11 (HRGc code CZ08T; day case) | Minor ear procedures for ≤ 18 years old children through tympanic membrane. One procedure is assumed to insert two VTs for each child |
Tympanoplasty | £1,831 | Gamma ~ (100.11, 18.29) | NSRC1b 2010–11 (HRGc code CZ10U; day case) | Major ear procedures for ≤ 18 years old children. One procedure is assumed |
Removal of VTs | £891 | Gamma ~ (130.45, 6.83) | NSRC1b 2010–11 (HRGc code CZ08T; day case) | Minor ear procedures for ≤ 18 years old children through tympanic membrane. One procedure is assumed to remove one or two VTs for each child |
HAs | £80 | Fixed | GDGd estimate [7] was inflated based on the HCHSe index 2010–11 (PSSRUf) | Each child needs two HAs due to bilateral condition |
Ear-moulds | £17 | Fixed | GDGd estimate [7] was inflated based on the HCHSe index 2010–11 (PSSRUf) | Each child needs two ear-moulds in every 13 weeks[7] |
Maintenance kit for HAs | £20.88 | Fixed | Cost of buying a maintenance kit for the HAs. This cost incurs once | |
Batteries for HAs | £0.49 | Fixed | Batteries need to be replaced every 4 weeks[7] | |
HAs fitting | £76 | Gamma ~ (71.03, 1.07) | NHS Reference Costs (2005–06) (Service code AS1FA) was inflated based on the HCHSe index 2010–11 (PSSRUf) | Fitting of HAs in an audiology department. One procedure is assumed to fit two HAs for each child due to bilateral OME. This cost incurs again when a child looses or breaks his/her HAs[7] |
Medication | £11 | Fixed | GDGd estimate [7] was inflated based on the HCHSe index 2010–11 (PSSRUf) | Cost for a course of antibiotic or eardrop due to otorrhoea, granulation and/or AOM. One course is assumed[7] |
GP visit | £41 | Gamma ~ (341.67, 0.12) | PSSRUf (unit costs of health and social care 2010–11) | GP visit fee for otorrhoea, granulations and/or AOM. Children who suffer from otorrhoea and/or granulation (see Table 1 ) are assumed to make the visit. On the other hand, 2.8 visits per year are assumed for children in the HAs strategy[8, 32, 33] |
Audio-logical assessment | £48 | Gamma ~ (64, 0.75) | NHS Reference Costs (2005–06) (Service code AS1FU) was inflated based on the HCHSe index 2010–11 (PSSRUf) | One or two visit(s) following a surgery[7]. One visit within 13 weeks and subsequent visits every 26 weeks thereafter for the HAs strategy[7] |
ENT visit | £91.72 | Gamma ~ (84.14, 1.09) | NSRC1b 2010–11 (Service code 120) | One visit within 6 weeks of a surgery and subsequent visits every 26 weeks thereafter until the time of extrusion[7]. One or two visit(s) per year[34, 35]for the HAs strategy |