Home and Medical Center Hemodialysis
Dollar Comparison and Payback Period
- Barbara G. Delano, MD;
- Mary V. Feinroth, MD;
- Martin Feinroth, MD, PhD;
- Eli A. Friedman, MD
Abstract
Cost of home hemodialysis training was compared with that of continuing hemodialysis at a satellite medical center. The "payback period" was defined as the time after which higher home training and start-up charges equaled and were surpassed by the initially lower satellite charges. This period was 14.4 months. Total cost of home hemodialysis training and start-up at our institution was $15,149.32. Ambulatory medical center hemodialysis during the same period (3 1/2 months) was $6,853.58. Initially, therefore, the cost of home dialysis is $8,295.74 more. However, after 14.4 months, there is an equalization point subsequent to which home hemodialysis costs $7,472.40 less each year. For a subgroup of patients, those with malignant and severe systemic diseases with reduced survival with hemodialysis, home hemodialysis has no economic advantage.
(JAMA 1981;246:230-232)
Footnotes
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Reprint requests to Downstate Medical Center, 450 Clarkson Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11203 (Dr Delano).
