Early medical abortion by telemedicine in the United Kingdom: a costing analysis. (20th December 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Hawkins, JE; Glasier, A; Hall, S; Regan, L
• Other Names: Lohr Patricia investigator.; Lord Jonathan investigator.; Ghosh Nabanita investigator.; Chilcott Alice investigator.; Reiter Jennifer investigator.; Clarke Rachael investigator.; Morris Edward investigator.; Wolstenholme Dan investigator.; Coe Megan investigator.; Harvey Alissa investigator.
• Is Part Of: BJOG. Volume 129:Number 6(2022)
• Page Start: 969
• Page End: 975
• Publication Date: 2021-12-20
• Subjects: Abortion -- economics of health care -- termination of pregnancy; Obstetrics -- Periodicals; Gynecology -- Periodicals; 618
• DOI: 10.1111/1471-0528.17033
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1470-0328

Abstract

Abstract : Objective: To determine the potential cost savings resulting from the introduction of routine early medical abortion (EMA) at home by telemedicine in the UK. Design: A costing study. Setting: The UK. Population: Women in 2020 undergoing EMA provided by three independent abortion providers and two National Health Service (NHS) abortion clinics. Methods: Computation of the costs of each abortion procedure and of managing failed or incomplete abortion and haemorrhage requiring blood transfusion. Main 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. Tweetable abstract: Early medical abortion at home using telemedicine could save the NHS £3 million per year. Tweetable abstract: Early medical abortion at home using telemedicine could save the NHS £3 million per year.