Assessing the cost of implementing the 2011 Society of Obstetricians and Gynecologists of Canada and Canadian College of Medical Genetics practice guidelines on the detection of fetal aneuploidies

Assessing the cost of implementing the 2011 Society of Obstetricians and Gynecologists of Canada and Canadian College of Medical Genetics practice guidelines on the detection of fetal aneuploidies

Prenatal Diagnosis, August 2017

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Margaret Lilley, Stacey Hume, Nina Karpoff, Georges Maire, Sherry Taylor, Robert Tomaszewski, Maisa Yoshimoto, Susan Christian

The Society of Obstetricians and Gynecologists of Canada (SOGC) and the Canadian College of Medical Genetics (CCMG) published guidelines, in 2011, recommending replacement of karyotype with QF-PCR when prenatal testing is performed because of an increased risk of a common aneuploidy. This study's objective is to perform a cost analysis following the implementation of QF-PCR as a stand-alone test. A total of 658 samples were received between April 1, 2014 and August 31, 2015: 576 amniocentesis samples and 82 CVS. A chromosome abnormality was identified in 14% (93/658) of the prenatal samples tested. The implementation of the 2011 SOGC-CCMG guidelines in Edmonton and Northern Alberta resulted in a cost savings of $46,295.80. The replacement of karyotype with chromosomal microarray (CMA) for some indications would be associated with additional costs. The implementation of new test methods may provide cost savings or added costs. Cost analysis is important to consider during the implementation of new guidelines or technologies.