Helge Garåsen The Trondheim Model - NSDM

4.2.5.3 Censoring of data
Average costs can lead to serious biases in the presence of censoring (141-143). Ignoring
censored data can lead to an underestimation of mean total costs (142).
One possible censoring method is to use a weighted cost method with known histories. For
the dead patients, with this method, estimates are done of average days of care for each group
and then potential care costs are calculated as if they had been alive for the whole period of
follow-up.
In the present study there were no dropouts during the observation period except for the
deaths. All data and costs for each patient were recorded individually from the time of
randomisation, index day, and until 180 and 360 days of follow-up after discharge from either
community hospital or general hospital or until death. Average care costs were estimated per
patient per day and per service according to where the patient actually received care (141-
142).
4.2.6 Patient consumer survey 2004.
The municipality of Trondheim carried out a survey amongst all patients at the 27 nursing
homes in Trondheim in 2004 (N=1250). A modified questionnaire was given to patients
admitted to the community hospital at Søbstad Teaching Nursing Home in November and
December 2004.The same questionnaire was also used at a nursing home in the municipality
of Bærum (Henie Onstad Nursing Home, HOBR) where SINTEF Health Research did a
similar survey (144). The results from Søbstad (n=39) and HOBR (n=25) were presented in a
report by SINTEF in 2005.
The results of the survey in Trondheim
Fifty percent of the respondents at Søbstad were above 80 years of age, and 72 % were
females (144). Only eleven (28.2 %) did know whom their primary care contact was at the
community hospital at Søbstad. 78 % could follow normal sleeping- and eating-rhythms, and
about 90 % was satisfied with the help they received with personal hygiene (toilet visits,
baths/showers). Asked if the food was appetising, 80 % answered yes, and 37 of the patients
felt that they got enough food.
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