An economic evaluation of home-care assistance for AIDS patients: a pilot study in a town in northern Italy

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the costs and cost-effectiveness of home-care assistance (HCA) as an alternative to hospital-based care only for patients with AIDS (PWA).

Design: A 6-month prospective study. Use of resources by a control group of PWA receiving ordinary hospital-based care (OC group) was compared with that by a random group of PWA who, in addition to hospital care, were also receiving home care (HC group).

Setting: Home- and hospital-based care for PWA in Vicenza, Italy.

Patients: HC group selection was based on eligibility criteria for severity of illness, home location and economic and family support. Ten of the PWA satisfying all eligibility criteria were randomly allocated to the HC group. The control group consisted of 32 PWA lacking one or more of the eligibility criteria.

Intervention: HCA involved the provision of palliative care for PWA by a multidisciplinary team of caregivers. Hospital-based services covered inpatient and outpatient services.

Main outcome measure: The health benefits for HC and OC groups using a quantitative quality of life measure (the Quality of Well-Being Scale).

Results: Overall health-care cost savings of 6-7%, relative to the OC group, were predicted for the HC group. Costs per well week were estimated at US$482 for the HC group and US$791 for the OC group.

Conclusion: Home-care assistance appears to be a cost-effective strategy for the treatment and care of PWA if strict eligibility criteria are adhered to.