Cost-Benefit Analysis in Healthcare

Abstract: Background: Gesture control represents a new paradigm in Human-Computer-Interaction, with an interesting use case in hygienic hospital settings; as it would allow staff to control computers without risking cross-contamination. Even though this has evident advantages, hospitals are increasingly emphasizing monetary gains in investment decisions; which in the case of gesture control is not that easy to prove. Purpose: The purpose of this thesis is to portray an image of the applicability of gesture control in Healthcare, and to provide a cost-benefit estimation on potential monetary gains of replacing mice/keyboards with a gesture-based interface. Methodology: This thesis is built on a deductive approach, where initially set research questions are investigated through a broad literature review followed by in depth field visits in hospitals. It combines exploratory and explanatory methods. Conclusions: It is clear that Hospital-Acquired infections constitutes a significant issue in modern healthcare, and previous literature suggest a connection towards mice/keyboards. The cost-benefit estimation shows a monetary value in replacing mice/keyboards with touchless interaction in the ICU. Further on, it shows that the initial purchase cost only corresponds to a fraction of total costs; with a significant part of potential savings coming from prevention of infection transmission, followed by efficiency gains and less material waste. Even if much of the data on infection prevention should not be considered statistically reliable, a compelling investment case for the use of gesture control in ICU can be made.