Frequency of Use and Cost of Selected Anesthetic Induction and Neuromuscular Blocking Agents
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to identify the most frequently used agents for induction and neuromuscular blockade for intubation, and to identify variables which affected these choices. Anesthetic records (n=77) were obtained to examine the frequency of use of induction agents and neuromuscular blockers. Anesthesia care providers completed a survey (n=19) which provided information on induction and neuromuscular relaxation agent preferences, factors influencing their choices, and estimated costs of anesthesia induction and neuromuscular relaxation drugs. Cost estimates were compared to published costs of selected anesthesia drugs. The average cost of each of four combinations of induction and neuromuscular relaxation agents was compared to the average PACU time. Propofol was found to be the most frequently used agent for induction (75.3%). Succinylcholine was chosen most often for use as a neuromuscular relaxation agent (98.7%). The three most important factors influencing the choice of either agent was the physical status of the patient, the incidence of side effects produced by the drug, and the duration of action of the drug. Patients who received propofol had a shorter PACU stay (x=92.3 minutes) than those patients who received sodium thiopental (x=110.5 minutes). The estimated cost for propofol/succinylcholine per patient was $11.16 versus $2.38 for sodium thiopental/ succinylcholine. Based on a cost of $8.12 per minute for PACU care, the cost savings was estimated to be $139.00 for a patient who received propofol/succinylcholine compared to a patient who received sodium thiopental/succinylcholine.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Oct 02, 1997
- Accession Number
- ADA329980
Entities
People
- Lorene R. Anderson
Organizations
- Air Force Institute of Technology