2005 Annual Scientific Meeting - CLICK FOR PROGRAMME

Cost savings associated with changing from the use of the Diprifusor to “open TCI” with generic propofol

Ahmed R Barakat¹, Nick Sutcliffe²

University Department of Anaesthesia¹, Glasgow Royal Infirmary Glasgow G31 2ER

Department of Anaesthesia², Golden Jubilee National Hospital, Clydebank G81 4HX

Introduction

Target controlled infusion (TCI) of propofol has become a common technique for the delivery of total intravenous anaesthesia (TIVA). Until recently the Diprifusor was the only pump available for the delivery of propofol by TCI, this linked the technique to use of pre-filled syringes with tag recognition. The relatively expensive drug cost associated with the pre-filled syringe may have limited the use of this technique. The introduction of “open TCI” devices now means that generic propofol can be given by TCI.

Our institution recently upgraded all infusion devices to a single manufacturer; at this time we took the opportunity to purchases a number of “open TCI” pumps as part of the package. We compared the estimated cost of using the pre-filled propofol syringes to the cost of buying generic TCI syringe drivers and using generic propofol vials over a 5 month period.

Method

The number of syringe drivers required for TCI propofol for all theatres currently running in our institution was estimated and costed. We looked at the total use of propofol in the 5 month period following the switch-over to generic TCI

Results

We required 12 syringe drivers for all theatres to be equipped in our hospital. Cardiac theatres had 2 syringe drivers per theatre as patients go to the ICU with the pump for continued sedation. While general theatres had one syringe driver per theatre. We used ALARIS - Asena PK Syringe Drivers.

Total cost of syringe drivers = 12 x (2750 + VAT) = £38,775

Total cost of propofol - Lipuro 2% vials (May- Sep 2005) = 2200 x (3.30 + VAT) = £8,530

Cost of pre-filled propofol 2% syringes for the same period would have been = 2200 x (18.33 + VAT) = £47,383

Difference in cost = 47383 - (38775 + 8530) = £78

Conclusion:

·         The use of generic propofol with the purchase of new generic TCI syringe drivers is more cost effective than the use of pre-filled propofol syringes with the existing Diprifusor units.

·         In our experience the new TCI pumps paid for themselves in the first 5 months after switch-over.