Table 4.
Cost of Setting Up and Using Telemedicine for Healthcare System.
| Expenditure | Conventional System | Telemedicine Cohort |
|---|---|---|
| One‐time fixed costs | ||
| Peripheral equipment | $0 | $7645 |
| Laptop | $0 | $1500 |
| Camera | $0 | $250 |
| Cart | $0 | $500 |
| Total fixed costs | $0 | $9895 |
| Running costs per encounter | ||
| Quintree Software | $0 | $18.75 |
| Nurse practitioner | $0 | $32.30 |
| Otolaryngologist | $125 | $55.50 |
| Running revenue per encounter | ||
| Mean patient reimbursements | $144.70 | $144.70 |
| Mean net revenue/ encounter | $19.70 | $38.15 |
Peripheral equipment included laryngoscope, otoscope, and c‐hub. Running costs per encounter were estimated based on daily costs assuming 20 encounters per day. Cost for otolaryngologist for telemedicine cohort is based on 0.5 full‐time equivalent at 75th percentile of AAMC Assistant Professor salary. Cost of otolaryngologist for conventional system is based on a fee for the otolaryngologist coming from OSUWMC to see patients in‐person at FCMH. Mean patient reimbursements is based on actual collections over a 1‐year period at FCMH. Mean net revenue per encounter is based on subtracting running revenue per encounter from running costs per encounter.
AAMC = American Association of Medical Colleges; FCMH = Fayette County Memorial Hospital; OSUWMC = Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center.