Economic burden of breast cancer: a case of Southern Iran.

BACKGROUND: Breast cancer is one of the main causes of death from cancer around the world, imposing a significant economic burden on the families and healthcare system. The present study aimed at determining the economic burden of breast cancer in the patients referred to the medical centers in Fars province in southern Iran in 2021. METHODS: This cross-sectional study is a partial economic evaluation and a cost-of-illness study with a bottom-up and prevalence-based approach, conducted in Fars province in southern Iran in 2021 from the societal perspective. A total of 230 patients were randomly included in the study, and a researcher-made data collection form was used to collect the required data. The data on direct medical costs were collected using the information on patients' medical and financial records. On the other hand, the data on direct non-medical and indirect costs were obtained using self-reports by the patients or their companions. The Excel 2016 software was used to analyze the collected data. RESULTS: The results showed that the annual cost of each breast cancer patient in the studied sample was 11,979.09 USD in 2021. Direct medical costs accounted for the largest share of costs (70.69%, among which the cost of radiotherapy was the highest one. The economic burden of the disease in the country was estimated at 193,090,952 USD. CONCLUSIONS: In general, due to the high prevalence of breast cancer and the chronicity of this disease, its medical costs can impose a heavy economic burden on society, the health system, the insurance system, and patients. Thus, in order to reduce the costs, the following suggestions can be offered: the use of advanced radiotherapy techniques, increasing the insurance coverage of required services, establishing low-cost accommodation centers near medical centers for the patients and their companions, providing specialized medical services for the patients in towns, using the Internet and virtual space to follow up the treatment of the patients, and carrying out free screening programs and tests for faster diagnosis of the infected patients and susceptible or exposed people.

Measuring Catastrophic Costs in Families Facing Traumatic Brain Injury in Iran.

Objectives: Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is preventable and expensive. The medical costs of TBI can be too high for some households and might lead to poverty, malnutrition, and loss of assets, which are called catastrophic expenditures. In this study, we investigated the incidence of catastrophic costs associated with TBI caused by road accidents in a province in northern Iran. Methods: This prospective study involved a 1-year follow-up after the accident. Data of 220 patients were collected from the medical records of the Poursina Hospital, Rasht, Iran from March 2018 to February 2020. Direct and indirect costs faced by the households of patients with TBI and catastrophic costs related to TBI were calculated. Regression models were obtained and sensitivity analyses were performed at the end of the study. Results: In total, the prevalence of households TBI-related catastrophic costs (TBICC) was 45.5% . Households of female patients (odds ratio [OR]: 0.289, p=0.042), households of retired patients (OR: 0.053, p=0.005), and households falling in the fifth quintile of wealth (OR: 0.370, p=0.050) faced lower TBICC compared to other groups. The Activities of Daily Living scores had a significant negative relationship with TBICC. Conclusions: Political interventions such as implementation of insurance schemes, exemptions from payment for certain groups, identification of poor households, and coverage of assistance services can protect households from catastrophic health expenditures.

Direct costs of treating men with prostate cancer with High Intensity Focused Ultrasound / Costos directos del tratamiento de hombres con cáncer de próstata con el uso de High Intensity Focused Ultrasound / Custos diretos do tratamento de homens com câncer de próstata via High Intensity Focused Ultrasound

ABSTRACT Objective: To analyze the direct costs of materials, medicines/solutions and healthcare professionals required to treat men with prostate cancer using High Intensity Focused Ultrasound. Method: Quantitative, exploratory-descriptive research, single case study type. Data were collected from electronic medical records/printed documentation from the Operating Room of a public teaching and research hospital. Health professionals estimated the respective time spent on activities in the following stages: "Before anesthetic induction", "Before performing thermal ablation", "During thermal ablation" and "After performing thermal ablation". Costs were calculated by multiplying the (estimated) time spent by the unit cost of direct labor, adding to the measured cost of materials, medicines/solutions. Results: The measured costs with materials corresponded to US$851.58 (SD = 2.17), with medicines/solutions to US$72.13 (SD = 25.84), and estimated personnel costs to US$196.03, totaling US$1119.74/procedure. Conclusion: The economic results obtained may support hospital managers in the decision-making process regarding the adoption of the High Intensity Focused Ultrasound for the treatment of prostate cancer.

RESUMEN Objetivo: Analizar los costos directos de materiales, medicamentos/soluciones y profesionales de la salud necesarios para tratar a hombres con cáncer de próstata a través de High Intensity Focused Ultrasound. Método: Investigación cuantitativa, exploratoria-descriptiva, tipo estudio de caso único. Los datos se obtuvieron de registros médicos electrónicos/documentación impresa del Centro Quirúrgico de un hospital público de enseñanza e investigación. Los profesionales de la salud estimaron el tiempo respectivo dedicado a las actividades en las siguientes etapas: "Antes de la inducción anestésica", "Antes de realizar la ablación térmica", "Durante la realización de la ablación térmica" y "Después de realizar la ablación térmica". Los costos se calcularon multiplicando el tiempo (estimado) invertido por el costo unitario de la mano de obra directa, sumándolo al costo medido de materiales, medicamentos/soluciones. Resultados: Los costos medidos con materiales correspondieron a US$851,58 (DE = 2,17), con medicamentos/soluciones a US$72,13 (DE = 25,84) y los costos de personal estimados a US$196,03, totalizando US$1119,74/procedimiento. Conclusión: Los resultados económicos obtenidos podrán apoyar a los gestores hospitalarios en el proceso de toma de decisiones respecto a la adopción del High Intensity Focused Ultrasound para el tratamiento del cáncer de próstata.

RESUMO Objetivo: Analisar os custos diretos com materiais, medicamentos/soluções e profissionais de saúde requeridos à realização do tratamento de homens com câncer de próstata via High Intensity Focused Ultrasound. Método: Pesquisa quantitativa, exploratória-descritiva, do tipo estudo de caso único. Coletaram-se os dados em prontuários eletrônicos/documentações impressas do Centro Cirúrgico de um hospital público de ensino e pesquisa. Profissionais de saúde estimaram os respectivos tempos despendidos em atividades constantes das etapas: "Antes da indução anestésica", "Antes da execução da termoablação", "Durante a execução da termoablação" e "Após a execução da termoablação". Calcularam-se os custos multiplicando-se o tempo (estimado) despendido pelo custo unitário da mão de obra direta, somando-se ao custo mensurado dos materiais, medicamentos/soluções. Resultados: Os custos mensurados com materiais corresponderam a US$851,58 (DP = 2,17), com medicamentos/soluções a US$72,13 (DP = 25,84) e os custos estimados com pessoal a US$196,03, totalizando US$1119,74/procedimento. Conclusão: Os resultados econômicos obtidos poderão subsidiar os gestores hospitalares no processo decisório quanto à adoção do High Intensity Focused Ultrasound para o tratamento do câncer de próstata.

Trends in treatment costs of U.S. emergency department visits.

BACKGROUND: Spending on emergency department (ED) services in recent years has increased faster than spending in any other area of healthcare. Analyzing growth rates of ED treatment costs by patient and hospital attributes may illuminate ways to reduce overall hospital cost growth. Prior studies have examined changes in ED visit charges and expenditures over time, but little research has focused on changes in ED treatment costs. METHODS: We analyzed trends in ED treatment costs by applying the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project (HCUP) Cost-to-Charge Ratios for ED Files to the 2012-2019 HCUP Nationwide Emergency Department Sample. Specifically, we estimated treatment cost per ED visit, mean and total costs by patient and hospital characteristics, and compound annual growth rate in costs and patient volumes. RESULTS: During 2012-2019, ED treatment costs increased from $54 billion to $88 billion, a 5.4% annual growth rate-with 4.4 percentage points attributable to higher treatment cost per visit. Growth rates varied by patient and hospital attribute. CONCLUSIONS: By highlighting overall ED cost trends, as well as specific segments of the delivery system with the most rapidly increasing costs, this study provides important information for policymakers and hospital decisionmakers.

Costos Unitarios Para Procedimientos en Salud en Colombia: Un Insumo Decisivo Para las Evaluaciones Económicas en Salud.

OBJECTIVES: Since 2011, there is a recommendation in Colombia to value health procedures: apply the tariffs of a 2001 manual used in a former public insurer with an adjustment factor of 35% (Instituto de Seguros Sociales [ISS] 2001). Nevertheless, the adjustment factor is not periodically updated, which limits the external validity of studies using these values and might also affect internal validity of studies, given that we are using possibly biased unit costs. This study aimed to compare unit values for health procedures using 2 sources: the ISS 2001 manual and individual records of service provision in Colombia (Registros Individuales de Prestación de Servicios de Salud [RIPS]), to evaluate the validity of the adjustment factor proposed in the Colombian reference case. METHODS: Unit values of health procedures reported in the Los Registros Individuales de Prestación de Servicios de Salud between 2013 and 2016 were compared with the value resulting from applying the assumption of ISS 2001 +35%. Rate variations were analyzed at the national level, by region and type of procedure. RESULTS: In the base case, the average rate variation at the national level was 142% with respect to the base value of the ISS manual; the value for nonsurgical procedures is 63% higher than the ISS 2001 rates, whereas for surgical procedures the difference is 299%. CONCLUSIONS: It is necessary to update the current recommendation in Colombia to estimate the unit cost of health procedures, to improve the external validity of economic evaluations and budget impact analysis in the country.

The monetary costs of pediatric upper urinary tract stone disease: Analysis in a contemporary United States cohort.

INTRODUCTION: The prevalence of upper urinary tract stone disease (USD) in the United States is rising among both adults and children. Studies on the contemporary economic burden of USD management in the pediatric population are lacking. OBJECTIVE: To comprehensively analyze the economic impact of USD in a contemporary United States pediatric cohort, and to evaluate drivers of cost. STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective cohort study of pediatric patients (aged 0-17), diagnosed with USD between 2011 and 2018 were identified from PearlDiver-Mariner, an all-payer claims database containing diagnostic, treatment and prescription data provided in all treatment settings. Relevant International Classification of Disease (ICD-9 and ICD-10) and Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) codes were used for identification, and only patients with claims recorded for at least one year before and after entry of a diagnosis code for USD were selected (N = 10,045). Patients were stratified into those undergoing operative vs. non-operative management and for each patient, total 1-year healthcare costs following USD diagnosis, including same day and non-same day encounters, were analyzed. Factors associated with increased spending, as well as economic trends were analyzed. RESULTS: Overall, 8498 (85%) patients were managed non-operatively, while 1547 (15%) underwent a total of 1880 procedural interventions. Total overall cost was $117.1 million, while median annual expenditure was $15.8 million. Proportion of spending for outpatient, inpatient and prescription services was 52%, 32% and 16%, respectively (Table). Outpatient management accounted for 67% of overall spending. The proportion of patients managed non-operatively increased significantly over time, in parallel with spending for non-operative care. Comorbidity burden, treatment year and geographic region were among predictors of costs. DISCUSSION: Our study is the first to report actual insurance reimbursements for pediatric USD management using actual reimbursement data, examined across all treatment settings. We found that majority of the costs were for outpatient services and for non-operative management, with a rising tendency toward non-operative management over time. Regional variation in expenditures was evident. Specific reasons underlying these observed patterns could not directly be discerned from our dataset, but merit further investigation. CONCLUSION: Non-operative and outpatient management for pediatric USD are increasingly common, resulting in parallel shifts in spending. Notably, 52% of overall spending was for outpatient care. These insights into the contemporary economic burden of pediatric USD could provide value in shaping future healthcare policy.

Average direct costs of outpatient, hospital, and home care provided to patients with chronic wounds / Costos directos promedios de la atención ambulatoria, hospitalaria y domiciliaria prestada a pacientes con heridas crónicas / Custos diretos médios da assistência ambulatorial, hospitalar e domiciliar prestada aos pacientes com feridas crônicas

ABSTRACT Objective: To analyze the average direct costs of outpatient, hospital, and home care provided to patients with chronic wounds. Method: Quantitative, exploratory-descriptive case study, carried out in a Comprehensive Wound Care Unit. Costs were obtained by multiplying the time spent by professionals by the unit cost of labor in the respective category, adding to the costs of materials and topical therapies. Results: Outpatient care costs corresponded to US$4.25 (SD ± 7.60), hospital care to US$3.87 (SD ± 17.27), and home care to US$3.47 (SD ± 5.73). In these three modalities, direct costs with dressings and medical consultations were the most representative: US$7.76 (SD ± 9.46) and US$6.61 (SD ± 6.54); US$7.06 (SD ± 24.16) and US$15.60 (SD ± 0.00); US$4.09 (SD ± 5.28) and US$15.60 (SD ± 0.00), respectively. Conclusion: Considering comprehensive care for patients with chronic wounds, the mean total direct cost was US$10.28 (SD ± 17.21), with the outpatient modality being the most representative in its composition. There was a statistically significant difference (p value = 0.000) between the costs of home and outpatient, home and hospital, and outpatient and hospital care.

RESUMEN Objetivo: Analizar los costos directos promedios de la atención ambulatoria, hospitalaria y domiciliaria prestada a pacientes con heridas crónicas. Método: Investigación cuantitativa, exploratoria-descriptiva, del tipo estudio de caso, realizada en una Unidad de Atención Integral de Heridas. Los costos se obtuvieron al multiplicar el tiempo dedicado por los profesionales por el costo unitario de la mano de obra en la respectiva categoría, sumado a los costos de materiales y terapias tópicas. Resultados: Los costos de atención ambulatoria correspondieron a US$ 4,25 (DE ± 7,60), hospitalaria a US$ 3,87 (DE ± 17,27) y atención domiciliaria a US$ 3,47 (DE ± 5,73). En estas tres modalidades, los costos directos con apósitos y consultas médicas fueron los más representativos: US$7,76 (DE ± 9,46) y US$6,61 (DE ± 6,54); US$7,06 (DE ± 24,16) y US$15,60 (DE ± 0,00); US$4,09 (DE ± 5,28) y US$15,60 (DE ± 0,00), respectivamente. Conclusión: Considerando la atención integral a pacientes con heridas crónicas, el costo directo promedio total fue de US$ 10,28 (DE ± 17,21), siendo la modalidad ambulatoria la más representativa en su composición. Hubo una diferencia estadísticamente significativa (p-valor = 0,000) entre los costos de atención domiciliaria y ambulatoria; domiciliaria y hospitalaria y, por fin, ambulatoria y hospitalaria.

RESUMO Objetivo: Analisar os custos diretos médios da assistência ambulatorial, hospitalar e domiciliar prestada aos pacientes com feridas crônicas. Método: Pesquisa quantitativa, exploratório-descritiva, do tipo estudo de caso, realizada numa Unidade de Tratamento Integral de Ferida. Obtiveram-se os custos multiplicando-se o tempo despendido pelos profissionais pelo custo unitário da mão de obra da respectiva categoria, somando-se aos custos dos materiais e terapias tópicas. Resultados: Os custos da assistência ambulatorial corresponderam a US$4,25 (DP ± 7,60), da hospitalar a US$3,87 (DP ± 17,27) e da domiciliar a US$3,47 (DP ± 5,73). Nessas três modalidades, os custos diretos com os curativos e consultas médicas foram os mais representativos: US$7,76 (DP ± 9,46) e US$6,61 (DP ± 6,54); US$7,06 (DP ± 24,16) e US$15,60 (DP ± 0,00); US$4,09 (DP ± 5,28) e US$15,60 (DP ± 0,00), respectivamente. Conclusão Considerando a assistência integral aos pacientes com feridas crônicas, o custo direto médio total foi de US$10,28 (DP ± 17,21), sendo a modalidade ambulatorial a mais representativa na sua composição. Constatou-se diferença estatística significante (valor p = 0,000) entre os custos da assistência domiciliar e ambulatorial, domiciliar e hospitalar e ambulatorial e hospitalar.

Methods for estimating the cost of treat-and-release emergency department visits.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate and compare approaches to estimating the service delivery cost of emergency department (ED) visits from total charge data only. DATA SOURCES: The 2013-2017 Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project's (HCUP) State Emergency Department Databases (SEDD) and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Healthcare Cost Report Information System (HCRIS) public use files. STUDY DESIGN: Compare a baseline approach (requiring cost-center-level charge detail) and four alternative methods (relying on total charges only) for estimating ED visit costs. Estimation errors are calculated after applying each method to a sample of ED visits, treating estimates from the baseline approach as the "true" cost. Performance metrics are calculated at the visit and hospital levels. DATA COLLECTION/EXTRACTION METHODS: The charges, revenue center codes, and patient/hospital characteristics were extracted from the SEDD. Detailed costs and charges were extracted from HCRIS public use files. PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: Baseline ("true") ED visit costs increased from $383 to $420 per visit between 2013 and 2017. Three methods performed comparatively well estimating mean cost per visit. The method using an overall cost-to-charge ratio (CCR) for all ancillary cost centers without regression adjustment (ANC-CCR) performed the worst, overestimating "true" costs by $63-$113 per visit. The other three methods, which used CCRs computed from selected cost centers, exhibited much smaller bias, with two of the methods yielding estimates within $2 of the "true" cost in 2017. Compared with ANC-CCR, the other three methods had more compact estimation error distributions. The estimated mean visit costs from all four methods have relatively small statistical variance, with 95% confidence intervals for mean cost in a hospital with 25,000 ED visits ranging between $4 and $7. CONCLUSIONS: When cost-center-level charge detail for ED visits is unavailable, alternative methods relying on total ED charges can estimate ED service costs for patient and hospital segments.

Long-term cost of breast cancer treatment to the United States Medicare Program by stage at diagnosis.

INTRODUCTION: Breast cancer treatment includes increasingly complex and expensive treatments. Accordingly, the current estimates of the cost of breast cancer treatment are out of date. METHODS: The SEER-Medicare Data Link provided 142,837,978 paid Medicare claims from 398,148 female beneficiaries between the ages of 22 and 110 diagnosed with breast cancer between 2007 and 2016. These claims were compared with 153,071,044 claims from 443,952 Medicare beneficiaries without a cancer diagnosis. The total, fully adjudicated, amounts for each claim were summed to determine total treatment cost for each beneficiary. These costs were then aggregated by year after diagnosis and stage at diagnosis. The actuarial survival of beneficiaries with cancer was calculated using the Kaplan-Meier method. RESULTS: Mean costs for the control group were $8,019 per year. The 10-year cost of cancer treatment in Medicare beneficiaries was directly related to stage at diagnosis and ranged from $103,573 for stage 0 cancers to $376,573 for stage 4 cancers. The highest cost occurred during the first 2 years after diagnosis, the time of the beneficiary's initial treatment. Following the first 2 years, healthcare costs remained elevated for at least 10 years after diagnosis. CONCLUSIONS: The 10-year treatment cost of female Medicare beneficiaries with breast cancer increases with increasing stage at diagnosis. Any effective screening technology that reduces stage at diagnosis will result in significant treatment cost savings to the Medicare program.

Incidence and Direct Medical Cost of Acute Stress Disorder and Post-traumatic Stress Disorder in Korea: Based on National Health Insurance Service Claims Data from 2011 to 2017.

BACKGROUND: We aimed to investigate the annual incidence of trauma and stress-related mental disorder including acute stress disorder (ASD) and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) using the National Health Insurance Service Database. In addition, we estimated direct medical cost of ASD and PTSD in Korea. METHODS: To examine the incidence, we selected patients who had at least one medical claim containing a 10th revision of the International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems code for ASD (F43.0) and PTSD (F43.1) and had not been diagnosed in the previous 360 days, from 2010 to 2017. We estimated annual incidence and the number of newly diagnosed patients of ASD and PTSD. Annual prevalence and direct medical cost of ASD and PTSD were also estimated. RESULTS: The number of newly diagnosed cases of ASD and PTSD from 2011 to 2017 totaled 38,298 and 21,402, respectively. The mean annual incidence of ASD ranged from 8.4 to 13.7 per 100,000 population and that of PTSD ranged from 4.2 to 8.3 per 100,000 population, respectively. The incidence of ASD was found more in females and was highest among the 70-79 years of age group and the self-employed individuals group. The incidence of PTSD was also more common in the female group. However, the incidence of PTSD was highest in the 60-69 years of age group and in the medical aid beneficiaries group. The annual estimated medical cost per person of ASD ranged from 104 to 149 US dollars (USD). In addition, that of PTSD ranged from 310 to 426 USD. CONCLUSION: From 2011 to 2017, the annual incidence and direct medical cost of ASD and PTSD in Korea were increased. Proper information on ASD and PTSD will not only allows us to accumulate more knowledge about these disorders themselves but also lead to more appropriate therapeutic interventions by improving the ability to cope with these trauma related psychiatric sequelae.

The burden of chronic pain for patients with osteoarthritis in Germany: a retrospective cohort study of claims data.

BACKGROUND: Osteoarthritis (OA) is a common condition that is often associated with chronic pain. Pain often leads patients to seek healthcare advice and treatment. In this retrospective cohort analysis of German longitudinal healthcare claims data, we aimed to explore the healthcare resource utilisation (HRU) and related healthcare costs for patients with OA who develop chronic pain. METHODS: Patient-level data was extracted from the German Institut für Angewandte Gesundheitsforschung (InGef) database. Insured persons (≥18 years) were indexed between January 2015 and December 2017 with a recent (none in the last 2 years) diagnosis of OA. HRU and costs were compared between patients categorised as with (identified via diagnosis or opioid prescription) and without chronic pain. Unweighted HRU (outpatient physician contacts, hospitalisations, prescriptions for physical therapy or psychotherapy, and incapacity to work) and healthcare costs (medication, medical aid/remedy, psychotherapy, inpatient and outpatient and sick pay in Euros [quartile 1, quartile 3]) were calculated per patient for the year following index. Due to potential demographic and comorbidity differences between the groups, inverse probability of treatment weighting (IPTW) was used to estimate weighted costs and rate ratio (RR; 95% confidence interval) of HRU by negative binomial regression modelling. RESULTS: Of 4,932,543 individuals sampled, 238,306 patients with OA were included in the analysis: 80,055 (34%) categorised as having chronic pain (24,463 via opioid prescription) and 158,251 (66%) categorised as not having chronic pain. The chronic pain cohort was slightly older, more likely to be female, and had more comorbidities. During the year following index, unweighted and IPTW-weighted HRU risk and healthcare costs were higher in patients with chronic pain vs those without for all categories. This led to a substantially higher total annual healthcare cost ─ observed mean; €6801 (1439, 8153) vs €3682 (791, 3787); estimated RR = 1.51 (1.36, 1.66). CONCLUSIONS: German patients with chronic pain and OA have higher healthcare costs and HRU than those with OA alone. Our findings suggest the need for better prevention and treatment of OA in order to reduce the incidence of chronic pain, and the resultant increase in disease burden experienced by patients.

Aplicação do método de custeio baseado em atividade e tempo (TDABC) em uma Instituição de Longa Permanência de Idosos (ILPI) / The application of time-driven activity-based costing in an Elderly People Institution

Objetivos: O envelhecimento da população brasileira é caracterizado por ser um processo progressivo e crescente. A necessidade de gerenciamento econômico robusto dos serviços disponibilizados à saúde do idoso torna-se imprescindível. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a estrutura de gestão de custos de uma Instituição de Longa Permanência de Idosos (ILPI). Métodos: As orientações para a aplicação do método de custeio baseado em atividade e tempo (TDABC) foram utilizadas como método de análise de custos. Os dados dos anos de 2018 e 2019 foram considerados para formar as análises e viabilizar a compreensão dos diferentes graus de consumo de recursos, durante o ciclo de cuidados da ILPI. Resultados: A aplicação da metodologia estimou o custo unitário de cada residente considerando o seu grau de dependência devido a sua condição clínica. Pôde-se identificar pontos de melhorias gerenciais, com ênfase na revisão da alocação das capacidades de hospedagem. Conclusões: O TDABC, como uma metodologia de fácil aplicação para estruturação dos custos relacionados a cada paciente, traz resultados oportunos para a melhor gestão e otimização de recursos em organizações de saúde. Sugere-se para trabalhos futuros a aplicação de um estudo de precificação dos serviços da ILPI, de modo que essa possa pautar os valores de mensalidades cobradas em bases mais sólidas.

Objectives: The need for a robust management of services focus on the elderly health becomes essential. The objective of this study was to evaluate the costs structure of an Elderly Long Term Care Institution (ILPI). Methods: The literature orientations for the application of the time-driven activity-based costing (TDABC) were used as a cost analysis method. Data from 2018 and 2019 were considered to form the analyzes and enable the understanding of the different degrees of resource consumption during the LTCI care cycle. Results: The application of the methodology estimated the unit cost of each resident considering their degree of dependence due to their clinical condition. Management improvement points could be identified, with emphasis on the review of hosting capacity allocation. Conclusions: TDABC as an easily applied methodology that brings timely results for better resource management and optimization in healthcare organizations. It is suggested for future researches the application of a pricing study of the services of ILPI, so that it can guide the monthly fees charged on a better substantiated basis.

What is health economics?

OBJECTIVES: This paper describes the principles of economics and their application to the promotion, protection and restoration of oral health in populations and the planning, management and delivery of oral health care. After illustrating the economic determinants of oral health, the demand for oral health care is discussed with particular reference to asymmetric information between patient and provider. The reasons for the market failure in (oral) health care and their implications for efficiency and equity are explained. We go on to describe how economic evaluation contributes to policies aimed at maximising oral health gains where resources are constrained. The behavioural aspects of patients´ demand for and dental professionals´ provision of oral health services are discussed. Finally, we outline methods for planning the dental workforce in ways that reflect system goals.

Direct cost of peripheral catheterization by nurses / Costo directo del paso de catéter central de inserción periférica por enfermeros / Custo direto da passagem de cateter central de inserção periférica por enfermeiros

ABSTRACT Objective: To measure the average direct cost of peripherally inserted central catheterization performed by nurses in a pediatric and neonatal intensive care unit. Method: A quantitative, exploratory-descriptive, single-case study, whose sample consisted of the non-participant observation of 101 peripherally inserted central catheter procedures. The cost was calculated by multiplying the execution time (timed using a chronometer) spent by nursing professionals, participants in the procedure, by the unit cost of direct labor, added to the cost of materials, drugs, and solutions. Results: The average direct cost of the procedure was US$ 326.95 (standard deviation = US$ 84.47), ranging from US$ 99.03 to US$ 530.71, with a median of US$ 326.17. It was impacted by material costs and the direct labor of the nurses. Conclusion: The measurement of the average direct cost of the peripherally inserted central catheter procedure shed light on the financials of consumed resources, indicating possibilities of intervention aiming to increase efficiency in allocating these resources.

RESUMEN Objetivo: Medir el costo directo promedio del paso de catéter central de inserción periférica por enfermeras en una unidad de cuidados intensivos pediátrica y neonatal. Método: Investigación cuantitativa, exploratoria-descriptiva, del tipo estudio de caso único, cuya muestra se constituyó de la observación no participante de 101 pasos de catéter central de inserción periférica. El costo se calculó multiplicando el tiempo (cronometrado) de los profesionales de enfermería, participantes en el procedimiento, por el costo unitario de mano de obra directa, sumándose al costo de materiales/medicamentos/soluciones. Resultados: El costo directo medio del procedimiento correspondió a US$ 326,95 (desviación estándar = US$ 84,47), variando entre US$ 99,03 y US$ 530,71, con mediana de US$ 326,17, habiendo sido impactados por los costos con material y mano de obra directa de los enfermeros ejecutantes. Conclusión: La medición del costo directo medio del paso del catéter central de inserción periférica confirió visibilidad financiera a los insumos consumidos, indicando posibilidades de intervención pretendiendo incrementar su eficiencia alocativa.

RESUMO Objetivo: Mensurar o custo direto médio da passagem de cateter central de inserção periférica, por enfermeiros, em uma unidade de terapia intensiva pediátrica e neonatal. Método: Pesquisa quantitativa, exploratório-descritiva, do tipo estudo de caso único, cuja amostra se constituiu da observação não participante de 101 passagens de cateter central de inserção periférica. O custo foi calculado multiplicando-se o tempo (cronometrado) despendido por profissionais de enfermagem, participantes do procedimento, pelo custo unitário da mão de obra direta, somando-se ao custo dos materiais/medicamentos/soluções. Resultados: O custo direto médio do procedimento correspondeu a US$326.95 (desvio-padrão = US$ 84.47), variando entre US$99.03 e US$530.71, com mediana de US$326.17; tendo sido impactado pelos custos com material e mão de obra direta dos enfermeiros executantes. Conclusão: A mensuração do custo direto médio da passagem de cateter central de inserção periférica conferiu visibilidade financeira aos insumos consumidos, indicando possibilidades de intervenção visando o incremento da sua eficiência alocativa.

Cost of a community mental health service: a retrospective study on a psychosocial care center for alcohol and drug users in São Paulo

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND: Psychosocial care centers for alcohol and drug users (CAPS-ad) are reference services for treatment of drug users within the Brazilian National Health System. Knowledge of their total costs within the evidence-based decision-making process for public-resource allocation is essential. The aims here were to estimate the total costs of a CAPS-ad and the costs of packages of care (according to intensity of care); to ascertain the ratio between total CAPS-ad costs and the federal funding allocated; and to describe the methods for estimating unit costs for each CAPS-ad cost component. DESIGN AND SETTING: Retrospective study conducted in a public community mental health service. METHODS: This was a retrospective cost description study on a CAPS-ad located in a city in the state of São Paulo, using a public healthcare provider perspective and a top-down approach, conducted over a 180-day period from March 1 to August 30, 2015. RESULTS: The total mean monthly costs of the CAPS-ad were BRL 64,017.54. Healthcare staff accounted for 56.5% of total costs. The mean costs per capita and per month for intensive and non-intensive care packages were, respectively, BRL 668.34 and BRL 37.12. CONCLUSIONS: The federal budget allocation covered 62.1% of the CAPS-ad costs and the remaining 37.9% end up funded by the municipal government. The cost of the intensive package of care was 18 times greater than the non-intensive package. Developing criteria for using services and different packages of care based on patients' needs, and optimizing human resources according to specific actions, may improve people's mental health and avoid wasted resources.

Costos directos sanitarios del paludismo en el Hospital Militar Regional de Uíge, Angola / Direct health costs of malaria in the Regional Military Hospital of Uíge, Angola

Fundamento: En Angola el paludismo aún es la primera causa de muerte. Esta enfermedad tiene un impacto negativo sobre la salud de las poblaciones, y el desarrollo social de este país, además de que influye directamente en su nivel de pobreza.Objetivo: estimar el costo directo sanitario de la atención al paciente con paludismo en un hospital de Angola.Métodos: se realizó un estudio descriptivo, específicamente una evaluación económica de tipo parcial, denominada descripción de costos. El período de estudio abarcó cuatro meses (enero-abril de 2014). Fueron incluidos 63 pacientes, atendidos en el Hospital Militar Regional de Uíge, República de Angola. Se aplicó el enfoque metodológico del costo de la enfermedad desde la perspectiva institucional de salud, el del micro-costeo modelado "abajo hacia arriba" y la Guía Metodológica para las Evaluaciones Económicas en Salud de Cuba.Resultados: el costo total de la atención al paciente con paludismo para la institución, fue de 2 752 536.24 kwanzas (28 114.93 dólares). El paludismo complicado ocasionó un costo mucho mayor (2 125 718.66 kwanzas) respecto al paludismo simple (626 269.59 kwanzas), mientras que la atención a un paciente alcanzó los 8 450.74 kwanzas.Conclusión: el tratamiento del paludismo complicado representa un mayor gasto para la institución hospitalaria, hasta llegar a triplicar el costo del paludismo simple.

Foundation: In Angola malaria is still the first cause of death. This disease has a negative impact on the population's health and the social development of this country. In addition it influences directly  its level of poverty. Objective: to calculate the sanitary direct cost of malaria patient's caring in a hospital in Angola.Method: a descriptive study, specifically a partial economical evaluation, called cost description. The period covered four months (January-april 2014). A number of 63 patients were included, assisted at the Military Hospital of Uíge, Republic of Angola. The disease cost methodological approach was applied from the health institutional perspective, the modeled micro-funding"bottom-up" and the Methodological Guide for Health Economical Evaluations in Cuba.Results: the total cost of assisting a malaria patient for the institution was 2 752 536.24 kwanzas (28 114.93 dollars). The complicated malaria cost was higher (2 125 718.66 kwanzas) with respects to simple malaria (626 269.59 kwanzas), while assisting one patient was 8 450.74 kwanzas.Conclusion: treatment to complicated malaria represents  higher expenses for the hospital which tripled the cost of simple malaria.

Cost of hospitalizations for older adults at one IMSS regional general hospital / Costos por hospitalización de adultos mayores en un hospital general regional del IMSS

Background: Population aging has a direct impact on the increasing demand of health services and on medical care costs. The objective was to carry out a cost analysis of health care costs in older adults in a regional general hospital of the Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social. Methods: A calculation of the costs was done based on a retrospective collection of health care data. Unit prices were used to estimate costs. These were reported in 2016 Mexican pesos. A cost analysis was carried out by means of a regression model. Explanatory variables were sex, age and comorbidity level, the latter measured by using the Charlson index. Results: The average cost of all the 509 patients was 34 769 Mexican pesos (SD = 2869 pesos). Age variable explains the costs; however, sex and comorbidity variables were not significant. Cost predictions with the statistical model show differences mainly by age. In the case of females, the model predicts greater costs compared with those of males. Costs for older adults of 85 years or more were greater than those for the group of younger people (75-84). Conclusion: The hospitalization costs estimated are high and they differ according to the age group. We suggest to make further research in order to know the factors associated with high hospital costs for this age group.

Introducción: el envejecimiento tiene como consecuencia el aumento de la demanda de servicios y los costos de la atención médica. El objetivo fue realizar un análisis de costos de la atención médica en población adulta mayor en un hospital general regional del Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social. Métodos: se realizó la estimación de costos por medio de la recolección retrospectiva de bienes y servicios. Los precios unitarios oficiales fueron usados para valorar los costos. Los costos se reportan en pesos de 2016. Se realizó un análisis de costos por medio de un modelo de regresión. Las variables explicativas fueron la edad, el sexo y el nivel de comorbilidad medido por el índice de Charlson. Resultados: el costo promedio para 509 pacientes fue de 34 769 pesos mexicanos (DE = 2869 pesos). La variable de edad explica los costos pero las de sexo y nivel de comorbilidad no fueron significativas. Las predicciones de costos con el modelo estadístico muestran diferencias entre grupos de edad principalmente. Los costos promedio fueron más altos para mujeres que para hombres. Los costos para mayores de 85 años fueron superiores que para los del grupo de 75-84 años. Conclusiones: los costos estimados por hospitalizaciones son elevados y son distintos por nivel de edad. Se sugiere investigar más sobre los factores que pueden explicar el crecimiento de los costos de hospitalización.

Costos de neumonia nosocomial en una unidad de cuidados intensivos en Cartagena, Colombia / Costs of pneumonia nosocomial in a unit of intensive care in Cartagena, Colombia

Objetivo: Estimar el exceso de costos directos de atención atribuible a la neumonía asociada a ventilador mecánico en una unidad de cuidados intensivos de adultos en la ciudad de Cartagena durante los años 2009 al 2014. Material y Método: Se plantea un estudio de evaluación económica parcial centrado en el análisis de costos directos de atención contrastando los escenarios de neumonía asociada a ventilador mecánico versus los escenarios sin neumonía asociada a ventilador mecánico. La población de estudio la constituye 23 pacientes con neumonía asociada a ventilador mecánico. Del mismo modo, se tomaron 46 controles. La información correspondiente a los costos directos se obtuvo a través del departamento de costos de la institución hospitalaria. Se estimó la razón de costos que permite establecer el exceso de costo atribuible a la enfermedad nosocomial. Resultados: La estancia promedio en los casos fue de 47 días mientras que en los controles fue de 9 días. El costo promedio de un caso de neumonía asociada a ventilador mecánico fue de US$ 44.354 mientras que el de un control fue de US$ 5.037. Discusión: El exceso de costo promedio total así como el incurrido en antibióticos y en estancia resultan ser mucho más altos que los encontrados en otros estudios realizados. Conclusiones: Un caso de neumonía asociada a ventilador mecánico cuesta 10 veces más con respecto a los medicamentos y 8 veces más con relación a exámenes de laboratorio se insumos. La estancia resulta ser 6,6 veces más costosa que cuando no se presenta esta patología. El costo que se asume en antibióticos es 7,8 veces más alto. Los casos de neumonía asociada a ventilador mecánico cuestan en promedio 8,8 veces más que los controles.

Aims: To estimate the excess direct care costs attributable to ventilator-associated pneumonia in an intensive care unit adult in the city of Cartagena during the years 2009 to 2014. Material and method: A study of partial economic evaluation focused on the analysis of direct care costs contrasting the scenarios of mechanical ventilator associated pneumonia versus scenarios without mechanical ventilator associated pneumonia. The study population is 23 patients with ventilator associated pneumonia. Similarly, 46 control were taken. The information for direct costs was obtained through the cost department of the hospital institution. The ratio of costs for establishing the excess cost attributable to ventilator associated pneumonia was estimated. Results: The average stay in cases was 47 days, while in controls was 9 days. The average cost of a case of ventilator associated pneumonia was US$ 44354 While the control was US$ 5037. Discussion: Excess average total cost incurred as well as antibiotics and stay out to be much higher than those found in other studies. Conclusions: A case of ventilator associated pneumonia costs 10 times more with regard to medicaments and 8 times more in relation to testing laboratories and supplies. The stay is 6.6 times more expensive than in controls without mechanical ventilation. The cost which is assumed in antibiotics is 7.8 times higher. Cases of ventilator associated pneumonia cost on average 8.8 times more that controls.

Resource utilization and cost of influenza requiring hospitalization in Canadian adults: A study from the serious outcomes surveillance network of the Canadian Immunization Research Network.

BACKGROUND: Consideration of cost determinants is crucial to inform delivery of public vaccination programs. OBJECTIVES: To estimate the average total cost of laboratory-confirmed influenza requiring hospitalization in Canadians prior to, during, and 30 days following discharge. To analyze effects of patient/disease characteristics, treatment, and regional differences in costs. METHODS: Study utilized previously recorded clinical characteristics, resource use, and outcomes of laboratory-confirmed influenza patients admitted to hospitals in the Serious Outcomes Surveillance (SOS), Canadian Immunization Research Network (CIRN), from 2010/11 to 2012/13. Unit costs including hospital overheads were linked to inpatient/outpatient resource utilization before and after admissions. RESULTS: Dataset included 2943 adult admissions to 17 SOS Network hospitals and 24 Toronto Invasive Bacterial Disease Network hospitals. Mean age was 69.5 years. Average hospital stay was 10.8 days (95% CI: 10.3, 11.3), general ward stays were 9.4 days (95% CI: 9.0, 9.8), and ICU stays were 9.8 days (95% CI: 8.6, 11.1) for the 14% of patients admitted to the ICU. Average cost per case was $14 612 CAD (95% CI: $13 852, $15 372) including $133 (95% CI: $116, $150) for medical care prior to admission, $14 031 (95% CI: $13 295, $14 768) during initial hospital stay, $447 (95% CI: $271, $624) post-discharge, including readmission within 30 days. CONCLUSION: The cost of laboratory-confirmed influenza was higher than previous estimates, driven mostly by length of stay and analyzing only laboratory-confirmed influenza cases. The true per-patient cost of influenza-related hospitalization has been underestimated, and prevention programs should be evaluated in this context.

[Direct service costs of diabetes mellitus hospitalisations in the Mexican Institute of Social Security]. / Costos directos de las hospitalizaciones por diabetes mellitus en el Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social.

OBJECTIVE: To estimate the direct costs related to hospitalizations for diabetes mellitus and its complications in the Mexican Institute of Social Security METHODS: The hospital care costs of patients with diabetes mellitus using diagnosis-related groups in the IMSS (Mexican Institute of Social Security) and the hospital discharges from the corresponding E10-E14 codes for diabetes mellitus were estimated between 2008-2013. Costs were grouped according to demographic characteristics and main condition, and were estimated in US dollars in 2013. RESULTS: 411,302 diabetes mellitus discharges were recorded, representing a cost of $1,563 million. 52.44% of hospital discharges were men and 77.26% were for type 2 diabetes mellitus. The biggest cost was attributed to peripheral circulatory complications (34.84%) and people from 45-64 years of age (47.1%). Discharges decreased by 3.84% and total costs by 1.75% in the period analysed. The complications that caused the biggest cost variations were ketoacidosis (50.7%), ophthalmic (22.6%) and circulatory (18.81%). CONCLUSIONS: Hospital care for diabetes mellitus represents an important financial challenge for the IMSS. The increase in the frequency of hospitalisations in the productive age group, which affects society as a whole, is an even bigger challenge, and suggests the need to strengthen monitoring of diabetics in order to prevent complications that require hospital care.