Gynecology & Obstetrics
Open Access
ISSN: 2161-0932
ISSN: 2161-0932
Nicholas C Anderson
Background: Cesarean delivery is the most common operating room procedure in the United States with approximately one in three babies being born through surgical means. The rate of cesarean delivery is 70% higher today in the US than it was twenty years ago. Yet despite the fact that for several decades many editorials in leading obstetric journals and childbirth advocates have called for urgent action to reverse this trend, cesarean delivery rates have continued to rise. A novel device, the Hem-Avert Perianal Stabilizer has been shown to reduce both the rate of cesarean births and the duration of second-stage labor. This study demonstrates the cost-effectiveness of the Hem- Avert device.
Methods: Data from peer-reviewed journal articles, systematic review organizations, data collection agencies, society statements and cost information from the manufacturer were assembled to provide a health economic analysis of the Hem-Avert Perianal Stabilizer. Information from a previous randomized, controlled, prospective study where Hem-Avert was employed served as the reference for the cost assessment.
Results: Due to the reduction in cesarean births obtained with the device, the average gross cost savings to Commercial insurers would be $2,487 less per scheduled vaginal birth for patients who received the Hem-Avert device and $1,193 less for Medicaid patients. With a previously determined number needed to treat of four, the Hem- Avert device was shown to produce a net savings of $1,999 and $825 per birth for Commercial and Medicaid payers respectively.
Conclusions: Based upon the effectiveness of the device during the most recent clinical study illustrating improvement in maternal and newborn outcomes, decreasing progression to cesarean delivery and duration of second-stage labor and with an ASP of $256, the Hem-Avert Perianal Stabilizer maintains the ability to substantially decrease the cost of care for child birth.