Budget Impact Analysis of Kickstart Exoskeletal Technology for Stroke Rehabilitation within the Ontario Hospital System

Stroke survivors don't care about 'cost'. They want to know 100% RECOVERY EFFECTIVENESS! Are you that blitheringly stupid? What are the EXACT RECOVERY RESULTS? This just seems to be get them somewhat mobile so we can kick them out the door!

Of course, this technology has been out there a while and the incompetence shown in how long to bring it in is FUCKINGLY IMPRESSIVE!

• kickstart (9 posts to April 2015)

 Budget Impact Analysis of Kickstart Exoskeletal Technology for Stroke Rehabilitation within the Ontario Hospital System

Danielle M. Dobney, PhD, MSc, CAT, Gaven Ren, BKin, Samena Rashid-Mohamed , BSc, MHSc, CHE, Danvir Sandhu , BSc (Candidate), Eimerie Mengulloe , Diploma in Digital Communications and Media Affiliations University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada University of Western Ontario, London, Canada University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Canada Trent University, Peterborough, Canada Study Context Ontario Hospital System, Canada Corresponding Author Danielle Dobney Email: ddobney@kickstartcanada.com Running Title Budget Impact of Kickstart in Stroke Rehabilitation Keywords stroke rehabilitation, budget impact analysis, health economics, exoskeleton, Ontario Word count 4765 (excluding title page and references) 

 Abstract: 

 Background: Stroke places a significant and growing economic burden on the Ontario health care system, particularly within inpatient rehabilitation. Technologies that accelerate functional recovery may improve both patient outcomes and system efficiency. 

Objective: 

 To estimate the budget impact of implementing Kickstart technology in Ontario hospitals. 

Methods: 

 A budget impact model was developed using Ontario-specific attributable stroke costs, adjusted to 2026 values using healthcare inflation. Hospital scenarios were modeled for community hospitals and regional stroke centres using published admission volumes. Savings were estimated based on reductions in inpatient rehabilitation length of stay (1-5 days) and a per-diem cost range of $800 - $1,200 CAD. A 35% eligibility rate was applied to reflect patients meeting clinical criteria for device use. 

Results: 

 The projected 2026 attributable cost of stroke was $39,455 CAD per patient, including $8,492 for inpatient rehabilitation. In community hospitals, annual savings ranged from $44,000 to $330,000, with a moderate estimate of $165,000. In regional centres, savings ranged from $112,000 to $840,000, with a moderate estimate of $420,000. Device costs were offset after approximately 5–9 patients. 

Conclusion: 

 Kickstart implementation may yield substantial cost savings by reducing rehabilitation length of stay while improving system capacity and efficiency. These findings support further real-world evaluation to validate projected benefits.