Title: Cost modelling in healthcare systems: a case of radiology department of a teaching hospital

Authors: Ifeyinwa Maria-Juliet Orji; Olusegun Akanbi; Sun Wei

Addresses: Department of Mechanical Engineering, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian, 116024, China ' Department of Industrial and Production Engineering, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, 200213, Nigeria ' Department of Mechanical Engineering, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian, 116024, China

Abstract: Inaccurate radiology costs data poses a huge challenge by not portraying information on actual resource consumption and not highlighting areas for possible efficiency improvement in healthcare systems. This work developed an activity-based costing (ABC) model for cost estimation of procedures in a radiology department of a teaching hospital in a developing country. The ABC model was designed in relation to the various activity groups and procedures available in radiology department of a teaching hospital in a developing country. Costs of all procedures carried out in the radiology department under study were estimated. Radiology cost is mainly dependent on the material costs, equipment costs and manpower costs. Costs of non-procedure-related activities are less than costs of procedure-related activities. Patient investigation activity costs are higher than other activity costs in radiology department. Digitised equipment could reduce patient investigation costs thereby reducing procedure costs.

Keywords: activity-based costing; ABC model; radiology departments; cost components; radiology costs; healthcare systems; teaching hospitals; cost modelling; cost estimation; developing countries.

DOI: 10.1504/IJISE.2015.065947

International Journal of Industrial and Systems Engineering, 2015 Vol.19 No.1, pp.50 - 74

Received: 16 Mar 2013
Accepted: 04 Jul 2013

Published online: 30 Nov 2014 *

Full-text access for editors Full-text access for subscribers Purchase this article Comment on this article