Cost Management of Cleft Lips under the Universal Health Coverage Program of the Tawanchai Cleft Center, Srinagarind Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University
Cheewarat Odton MBA*, Theera Rittirod PhD**, Suteera Pradubwong MSN***, Bowornsilp Chowchuen MD, MBA****
Affiliation : * Business of Administration Program, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand ** Office of Academic Affairs, Faculty of Pharmacy, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand *** Division of Nursing, Srinagarind Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand **** Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand
Background : The study of cost management with regard to cleft lip patients under the Universal Health Coverage Program
at Tawanchai Cleft Center, Srinagarind Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, was conducted in order to
provide fundamental information for the administrative team on how best to administrate and manage the organization.
Objective : To study the cost management of cleft lip patients under the Universal Health Coverage Program. To compare
individual patient management costs and costs from the National Health Security Office (NHSO), and to offer proper
guidelines for cost management to the organization.
Material and Method: The study was performed retrospectively. The data were collected by reviewing secondary sources of
information from patients with cleft lips who consistently underwent treatment at Tawanchai Cleft Center. As for the provider
prospects, the cost management did not address the other expenses. The study analyzed the comparison between cost
management and income from the Universal Health Coverage Program, which it received from the National Health Security
Office (NHSO). The study was conducted over 2 years (October 1, 2010 to 30 September, 2013). There were 21 patients in this
study. Microsoft excel was the instrument used to calculate the cost of management.
Results : 1) Total costs were lower than real payments because this cost did not take into account the total cost of the operation
room, patient room, common bed, and costs of the medical equipment. Moreover, the information regarding the building’s
price and the facility were not clear enough. The database of materials and equipment was also not yet complete. 2) The
average cost of patient management was 12,025.14 Baht per person, but the compensation received from the National Health
Security Office (NHSO) averaged 10,527.63 Baht per person, which was 87.55% of the total cost management. The department
with the largest expenses was Anesthesia (36.42%).
Conclusion : This study indicated that the cost of patient management is lower than usual due to the lack of clear cost
information. The cost of medical care, which was received from the National Health Security Office (NHSO), was only
87.55%; the department with the highest costs was Anesthesia (36.42%).
Keywords : Cost Management, Cleft lip/cleft palate, Tawanchai cleft center
