# Evaluating the Cost-Effectiveness of Chlorhexidine-Coated vs. Standard Peripheral Insertion Central Catheters in Patients with Hematologic Disease: A Health Economic Analysis

## TL;DR

This study compares the cost-effectiveness of two types of PICCs in patients with blood diseases, finding that chlorhexidine-coated PICCs save money and improve health outcomes.

## Contribution

The study introduces a health economic model to evaluate chlorhexidine-coated PICCs in hematologic disease patients.

## Key findings

- AGBA PICCs saved RMB 2291.10 (USD 428.44) per patient compared to standard PICCs.
- AGBA PICCs resulted in 0.05 more QALYs than standard PICCs.
- The ICER for AGBA PICCs was RMB 4271.31 (USD 629.96), showing cost-effectiveness.

## Abstract

Background/Objectives: This study was conducted to assess the cost-effectiveness of chlorhexidine-coated (AGBA) peripheral insertion central catheters (PICCs) versus standard PICCs for managing catheter-related complications among patients with hematologic disease. Methods: A decision tree health economic model was developed, incorporating quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) derived from the literature, as well as complication rates and per-patient costs from a randomized controlled trial. The base case incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) was assessed against established willingness to pay (WTP) thresholds. One-way sensitivity analyses were conducted to address assumptions and uncertainties. Results: The mean healthcare cost per patient of standard PICCs was RMB 21,987.32 (USD 3242.82, at an average exchange rate of RMB 678.03 = USD 100), affecting 0.68 QALYs in 90 days. The mean healthcare cost per patient of AGBA PICCs was RMB 19,696.23 (USD 2904.92), affecting 0.73 QALYs in 90 days, thus resulting in a saving of RMB 2291.10 (USD 428.44). After the model simulation, standard PICCs resulted in a reduction of 0.05 QALYs. The ICER for AGBA PICCs compared with standard PICCs was consistently centered at RMB 4271.31 (USD 629.96). Conclusions: one-way sensitivity analyses of cost-effectiveness versus WTP confirmed the robustness of the model across various parameter changes, indicating that AGBA PICCs could provide significant healthcare savings over a 1-year period when adopted in routine chemotherapy treatment for patients with hematologic disease.