Cost of Unnecessary Repeat Requesting of Tests for HBsAg, Anti-HCV and Anti-HIV Screening in a University Hospital

Abstract

Conclusion: Repeated HBsAg, anti-HCV and anti-HIV tests impose a significant financial burden on the national economy. The total cost of unnecessary repeat requesting of tests in our hospital in a five-year-period was found to be 6.489 USD. When a calculation was made according to the ratio of inappropriately repeated tests to total tests done in the whole country, the total financial loss was estimated as a huge value as 1.042.215 USD only for 3 test parameters. After controlling indications for tests, establishing control and warning steps in the social security systems and hospital automation networks, financial burden could be reduced to a much more reasonable levels.