Direct cost of procedures for phlebitis treatment in an Inpatient Unit

Abstract

Objective: To identify the average direct cost of the procedures performed for phlebitis treatment in patients in an Inpatient Unit and estimate the costs of the procedures performed to treat phlebitis in this unit. Method: A quantitative, exploratory-descriptive, single-case study. Initially, records of the procedures performed for phlebitis management were identified. Then, the cost was calculated by multiplying the execution time (timed using a chronometer) spent by nursing technicians by the unit cost of direct labor, added to the cost of materials in 2017. Results: 107 phlebitis referring to 96 patients were reported. To treat the different grades of phlebitis, three procedures were carried out “application of ointment of chamomile flower extract”; “Compress application”; “Peripheral venous access installation”. “Peripheral venous access installation with Íntima® catheter” corresponded to the most expensive procedure (US$ 8.90-SD=0.06). Considering the record of the execution of 656 (100%) procedures, the total average direct cost estimate corresponded to US$ 866.18/year. Conclusion: Knowledge about the costs of procedures can support decision making that increase allocation efficiency of consumed resources.