Pricing model construction of nursing service items based on value-chain cost-control theory

XIE Shuai; DAI Mengqin; WANG Miyan; YIN Feng; ZHANG Ying; YANG Yuwei

doi:10.12102/j.issn.1009-6493.2025.21.014

Abstract：Objective:We aimed to develop a pricing model for nursing service items by the cost-control of value-chain theory(CVT)and subsequently validate its scientific and rationality.Methods:A CVT pricing model based on the regional average wage was developed through a comprehensive review and analysis of the value chain associated with nursing services in existing pricing models,along with implementing a new adjustment algorithm of technical difficulty and risk degree for cost control.Using the pricing method based on the Nursing Interventions Classification(NIC)framework as a benchmark,both CVT and previous models(including ZY&LL,and JS models)were evaluated for their consistency and superiority.Results:The paired t-test revealed no pricing differences in both CVT and previous models compared to the NIC pricing(all P>0.05).However,the Bland-Altman test found that the pricing bias of ZY&LL and JS models exhibited negative and positive increasing trend,respectively(P<0.05).The Mountain plot indicated that JS pricing generally exhibited an overestimation(entire mountain leftward shift).ZY&LL pricing was more aggressive than CVT pricing only when costs were overestimated(left mountain deviated even more from the zero line).The Passing&Bablok regression confirmed the existence of proportional difference(95%CISlope=1.290-1.691)and systematic difference(95%CIIntercept=-14.247--4.289)only in JS pricing,along with lower random difference in CVT pricing compared to ZY&LL and JS pricings.Conclusions:The CVT model offers a scientific,rational,and efficient pricing approach for nursing service items.This may be attributed to the adjustment in cost coefficients according to technical difficulty and risk degree.