Cost of urology: financial audit in a clinical department.

OBJECTIVES To cost a clinical unit over one month in 1991, to cost treatment of individual patients from audit data, and to compare this costing method with the hospital charging system. DESIGN A financial breakdown was obtained for one month's work. Ward stay, operating time, investigations, and outpatient visits were costed and a formula (episode = days on ward+hours of operating+investigations+outpatient visits) was used to cost patient episodes from audit data. SETTING The adult urology unit in a teaching hospital. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Costs for each part of patients' treatment. RESULTS Total cost was 147,796 pounds for 159 admissions, 738 inpatient days, 131 operations in 29 operating lists, and 615 outpatient visits. An uncomplicated transurethral prostatectomy cost 1140 pounds but complications increased this to 1500 pounds in another patient. The costs of diagnostic cystoscopy were 130 pounds in outpatients, 240 pounds in day surgery, and 430 pounds in inpatients. Hospital charges do not reflect the individual costs of treatment, charges being greater than costs for some patients and lower than costs for others. CONCLUSIONS Clinicians can produce a financial analysis of their work and cost their patients' treatment. Audit is strongly advocated as a resource planning tool.