ObjectiveUnder the principle of promoting the reform of TCM payment methods, analyzing the difference in efficacy and cost of treatment using Western medicine or traditional Chinese medicine, and providing health economics basis for the reform of payment methods for advantageous diseases of TCM. MethodsData from the first page of medical records of 4 Chinese hospitals and 4 western hospitals of the same level were collected from 2020 to 2021 in typical areas, focusing on four typical TCM advantageous diseases that were consistent with diabetes, cervical spondylosis, arthralgia syndrome in the lumbar area or pelvic inflammation, and a total of 14 958 cases were included through propensity score matching. Under the assumption of same disease, same effect and same price, the age, bed days, total cost, discharge condition and reoperation condition of the same disease in 90 days were analyzed and compared between the two groups. ResultsIn terms of outcomes, the experimental group showed significantly better discharge outcomes compared with the control group for the four diseases. In terms of cost, the control group had higher total costs for arthralgia syndrome in the lumbar area and cervical spondylosis, while the control group had lower total costs for diabetes. After controlling for treatment effects, the control group had higher costs for cervical spondylosis and pelvic inflammatory disease compared to the experimental group, while the control group had lower costs for diabetes and arthralgia syndrome in the lumbar area compared to the experimental group. ConclusionThe experimental group shows better treatment effectiveness for the four TCM-dominant diseases. The control group has higher costs for cervical spondylosis and pelvic inflammatory disease when discharge outcomes are limited, while the control group has lower costs for diabetes and arthralgia syndrome in the lumbar area. This highlights the necessity of reforming the payment methods for TCM-dominant diseases. Additionally, the development of TCM-dominant diseases should focus on addressing the high demand for elderly chronic diseases in TCM.
ObjectiveIn light of the comprehensively implemented reform of medical insurance payments, this study analyzed the impact of the payment intervention and COVID-19 pandemic on hospitalization expenses for identical diseases between traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and Western medicine hospitals, to provide evidence to promote high-quality coordinated development of hospitals and insurance while reducing patient load. MethodsFrom January 2014 to December 2020, we gathered data including 9 900 individual medical records of woman-related malignant tumors (WMT) from all 23 public hospitals in a district of Shanghai. We developed an interrupted time-series analysis model based on the above two interventions, to compare the inpatient average per-time expenses between different hospitals and different groups. ResultsThe average per-time expenses of WMT in Western hospitals changed from rising to declining after the policy intervention, and increased again during the pandemic. In TCM hospitals, the expenses continued to increase and fluctuated after the pandemic. ConclusionThe policy intervention has achieved a good effect on controlling the cost of Western hospitals, rather than the significant increase in TCM hospitals. Meanwhile, the COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on hospitalization expenses. It’s urgent to develop a payment model that fits the development and characteristics of TCM, to control the unreasonable growth of expenses. Moreover, the financial compensation methods and supervision mechanism of public hospitals should be improved to effectively resist the threat of public health emergencies for the development of hospitals and the legitimate rights of patients.
Objective To explore the method and effectiveness of index finger proximal dorsal island flap supplied by the nutrient vessels of superficial branch of radial nerve for treatment of thumb skin and soft tissue defect. Methods Between August 2019 and December 2024, 12 patients with thumb skin and soft tissue defects caused by trauma accompanied by variation of the first dorsal metacarpal artery were treated. There were 8 males and 4 females, aged 19 to 55 years, with an average age of 32 years. The wound area ranged from 2.2 cm×2.0 cm to 5.5 cm×3.5 cm. The time from injury to operation ranged from 1.5 to 6.0 hours, with an average of 4.5 hours. After thorough debridement, the wound was repaired with a index finger proximal dorsal island flap supplied by the nutrient vessels of the superficial branch of the radial nerve. The flap area ranged from 2.4 cm×2.2 cm to 6.0 cm×4.0 cm. The donor site was repaired with free skin grafting. Regular follow-up was conducted postoperatively to observe the appearance, texture, sensory recovery of the flap, and the condition of the donor site. Results The operative time ranged from 30 to 72 minutes, with an average of 47 minutes; intraoperative blood loss ranged from 30 to 70 mL, with an average of 46 mL. After operation, partial necrosis occurred at the skin edge of the radial incision on the dorsum of the hand in 1 case, which healed after dressing changes; all other flaps survived uneventfully, with primary wound healing. The skin grafts at the donor sites all survived. All 12 patients were followed up 5-36 months, with an average of 14 months. The appearance and texture of the flaps were good. At last follow-up, the two-point discrimination of the flaps ranged from 4 to 9 mm, with an average of 5.2 mm. According to the functional evaluation criteria for upper limb issued by the Hand Surgery Society of Chinese Medical Association, the results were excellent in 11 cases and good in 1 case. No scar contracture, pain, or joint movement limitation was observed at the donor sites. Conclusion For patients with skin and soft tissue defects of the thumb accompanied by variation of the first dorsal metacarpal artery, the index finger proximal dorsal island flap supplied by the nutrient vessels of the superficial branch of the radial nerve can be selected. This method has advantages such as shorter operative time, less intraoperative bleeding, and good postoperative appearance and sensation of the flap.