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Cost/Benefit Analysis of an e-Ambulance Project in Kochi Prefecture, Japan

2015; Springer Science+Business Media; Linguagem: Inglês

10.1007/978-3-662-48319-0_42

1865-0937

Yoshihisa Matsumoto, M. Ogawa, Taisuke Matsuzaki, Masatsugu Tsuji,

Healthcare Policy and Management

This study aims at evaluating the economic effect of an e-ambulance project, or emergency telemedicine in the rural areas in Kochi Prefecture in Japan. Ambulances equipped with ICT devices which transmit images of acute patients to remote hospitals are focused on. Kochi Prefecture started an e-ambulance project in Aki and Muroto Cities in 2012. From two cities, it takes approximately one hour to reach emergency hospitals located in Kochi City, the prefectural capital. e-ambulance enhances wellness of residents, since they perceive more secure, and thus the CVM (Contingent valuation method) is applied and WTP (willingness to pay) is used as benefit and estimated based on surveys to residents, which amounts to 1,747 yen per resident per year. Total cost calculated is 381,792,228 yen over three years and accordingly, B/C ratio amounts 0.459. This study calculated another B/C ratio from the viewpoint of two local governments.