Pulse-oximetry and supplemental oxygen utilization in low-resource,
pre-hospital settings: An exploratory cost-effectiveness analysis
Abstract
Pneumonia is the leading cause of death globally in children aged 0-5
years. Early access to pulse-oximetry and supplemental oxygen in
low-resource, pre-hospital settings may result in improved pediatric
pneumonia outcomes. However, few data exist regarding their application
in such settings. We performed an exploratory cost-effectiveness
analysis using a decision analysis model to examine use of
pulse-oximetry and supplemental oxygen in low-resource, pre-hospital
settings. Our model yielded an Incremental Cost-Effectiveness Ratio
(ICER) for pre-hospital pulse-oximetry use of $229 (USD) per life-year
(LY) saved compared to no pulse-oximetry use. Given that inpatient
management is the standard of care for hypoxemic pneumonia, when only
pre-hospital costs were considered the result was an ICER of $13/LY
saved. Both values were considered cost-effective according to a strict
willingness-to-pay (WTP) threshold set for the lowest GDP per capita in
the world. When oxygen was analyzed in combination with pulse-oximetry,
we found a baseline WTP threshold for pre-hospital oxygen of $1.18 per
patient. Again, when the payer perspective included only pre-hospital
costs, that WTP for oxygen rose to $26.64. For every 1% reduction in
total pediatric pneumonia mortality consequent to pre-hospital oxygen
use, we determined the recommended WTP allowance for oxygen would
increase by approximately $1.75. We conclude that pulse-oximetry is
likely cost-effective in low-resource, pre-hospital environments. We
acknowledge the need for further research on the effectiveness of
pre-hospital oxygen in reducing pediatric pneumonia mortality and
suggest ranges of cost and efficacy for which oxygen is likely to be
found cost-effective in tandem with pulse-oximetry.