Remote Management of Hearth Failure the post discharge period: review of cost analysis and cost sustainability for Hospitals in the perspective of th National Health System

Heart Failure (HF) can be considered among the most expensive diseases for the National Health System in Italy (1,4% of the yearly expenditure); it is related to high levels of mortality and morbidity, and long hospitalization periods. This means that the largest part of costs is related to direct health assistance. Data on managing by telemedicine of post discharge periods in HF are scarce. A trial was conducted after a review on Health Care Management, and Health Technology Assessment literature, about telecardiology implications on cost accounting. For 12 months, forty patients affected by HF, implanted with ICD remote control just after discharge from the hospital were observed. The analysis showed, through an accurate cost accounting examination, that the use of telemedicine is cost effective because it allows hospitals to know the health condition of patients before they get worse. These information allow to predict and prevent relapses of HF and new hospitalization (reduced by more than 65%), with a consequent cost saving of about 65% for the same clinical outcome of alternative health treatments.