Early medical abortion by telemedicine in the United Kingdom: A costing analysis
File(s)
Accepted version
Author(s)
Hawkins, James
Glasier, Anna
Hall, Stephen
Regan, Lesley
Type
Journal Article
Abstract
Objective:
To determine the potential cost savings resulting from the introduction of routine early medical abortion at home by telemedicine in the United Kingdom.
Design:
A costing study
Setting:
United Kingdom
Population:
Women in 2020 undergoing early medical abortion provided by three independent abortion providers and two NHS abortion clinics.
Methods:
Computation of the costs of each abortion procedure and of managing failed or incomplete abortion and haemorrhage requiring blood transfusion.
Outcome measures:
Cost savings
Results:
Overall estimated cost savings are £15.80 per abortion undertaken by independent abortion providers representing a saving to the NHS of over £3 million per year. Limited data from NHS services resulted in an estimated average saving of £188.84 per abortion.
Conclusions
Were telemedicine EMA to become routine, an increase in the number of women eligible for medical rather than surgical abortion, and a reduction in adverse events resulting from earlier abortion could result in significant cost-savings.
To determine the potential cost savings resulting from the introduction of routine early medical abortion at home by telemedicine in the United Kingdom.
Design:
A costing study
Setting:
United Kingdom
Population:
Women in 2020 undergoing early medical abortion provided by three independent abortion providers and two NHS abortion clinics.
Methods:
Computation of the costs of each abortion procedure and of managing failed or incomplete abortion and haemorrhage requiring blood transfusion.
Outcome measures:
Cost savings
Results:
Overall estimated cost savings are £15.80 per abortion undertaken by independent abortion providers representing a saving to the NHS of over £3 million per year. Limited data from NHS services resulted in an estimated average saving of £188.84 per abortion.
Conclusions
Were telemedicine EMA to become routine, an increase in the number of women eligible for medical rather than surgical abortion, and a reduction in adverse events resulting from earlier abortion could result in significant cost-savings.
Date Issued
2021-11-28
Date Acceptance
2021-11-16
Citation
BJOG: an International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, 2021, 129 (6)
ISSN
1470-0328
Publisher
Wiley
Journal / Book Title
BJOG: an International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology
Volume
129
Issue
6
Copyright Statement
This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
Identifier
https://obgyn.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/1471-0528.17033
Subjects
Science & Technology
Life Sciences & Biomedicine
Obstetrics & Gynecology
Abortion
economics of health care
termination of pregnancy
CARE INTERVENTIONS
HEALTH
Abortion
economics of health care
termination of pregnancy
Abortion, Induced
Cost Savings
Female
Humans
Pregnancy
State Medicine
Telemedicine
United Kingdom
RCOG Telemedicine cost-effectiveness working group
Humans
Abortion, Induced
Telemedicine
Pregnancy
Cost Savings
State Medicine
Female
United Kingdom
Obstetrics & Reproductive Medicine
11 Medical and Health Sciences
Publication Status
Published online
Date Publish Online
2021-11-28