Improving Healthcare Efficiency with Virtual Services: ARetrospective Economic Study from Rafha General Hospital
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Keywords
Virtual Hospital, Cost-Effectiveness, Tele-ICU, Tele-Radiology
Abstract
Introduction: In response to the growing use of digital health technologies, it is essential to evaluate their cost-effectiveness and efficiency. Virtual clinics, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, have emerged as key healthcare delivery solutions, allowing remote patient interactions with healthcare professionals. Seha Virtual Hospital, a pioneering initiative in Saudi Arabia, exemplifies this shift by offering specialized healthcare services to 170 hospitals across the Kingdom. Despite the increasing adoption of virtual care, evidence assessing the economic effectiveness of virtual hospitals remains limited. This study aims to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of Seha Virtual Hospital services at Rafha General Hospital, addressing a gap in the literature and providing crucial insights for health care system. Methods: This study was a retrospective observational study including 3.728 patients’ records . The study was conducted in a Rafha General Hospital in collaboration Seha Virtual Hospital. The duration of the study spanned from January 2023 to March 2024 encompassing a total of 1 year. Results: A total of 3,728 patients received Seha Virtual Hospital services at Rafha General Hospital. Of which, 3035 patients received virtual radiology service, followed by ICU virtual services (545 patients), then virtual Inpatient consultation service (40 patients), virtual stroke services (39 patients), virtual EEG services (35 patients), virtual outpatient services (27 patients), then national virtual heart committee services NVHC (6 patients) and lastly, virtual oncology services (1 patient). These virtual services saved costs a total of SAR 9.152.600 from part-time contracting with healthcare practitioners and the patients’ travelling expenses. The overall costs saved from travelling to receive ICU services, outpatient services, NVHC services, radiology services, stroke services, INP-consultation, EEG services, and oncology services were SAR 4.705.000, SAR 54.000, SAR 13.500, SAR 1.062.250, SAR 1.209.600, SAR 1.702.800, SAR 403.200, and SAR 2250, respectively. Conclusion: The findings of current study provide a clear evidence that the virtual services from Seha Virtual Hospital to the patients at Rafha General Hospital have reduced the costs for the healthcare provider in terms of patients’ living expenses and temporary contracting with specialized health practitioners in each required specialty for delivering optimal healthcare services and reduce the referral to tertiary hospital.
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