Quantifying the Economic Impact on Sepsis Patient Care Pathway by Point-of-Care Testing

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The overall aim of the project is to develop an economic model to understand the expected benefits and improved outcomes associated with introducing a point-of-care (POC) diagnostic test into the management of patients presenting with sepsis, focussing on the feasibility of using such modelling to predict the cost effectiveness of a POC test in the emergency department. Sepsis, severe sepsis and septic shock carry an unacceptably high mortality, and the incidence is increasing, such that they are becoming an increasingly large burden on healthcare resources. The use of a POC test is often viewed as a relatively inexpensive technology that can improve subsequent management options and thus better use of limited healthcare resources. The expected impact of a POC test is on mortality and health-related quality of life but also will have considerable economic impact. Service commissioners deciding whether to fund a POC test need information to help them understand the place of the test in the existing care pathway, the impact on patient care pathways and the consequent cost and health benefits.