Calculation of Direct Medical Costs and Indirect Costs in Patients with Covid-19 Hospitalized in the Intensive Care Unit in Golestan Province

Mohammad Javad  Kabir; Alireza  Heidari; Sajad  Moeini; Zahra  Khatirnamani; Fatemeh  Kavian Telouri; Mousa  Eimery

doi:10.18502/mshsj.v6i4.8982

Mohammad Javad Kabir Associated Professor, Health Management and Social Development Research Center, Golestan University of Medical Sciences, Gorgan, Iran
Alireza Heidari Assistant Professor, Health Management and Social Development Research Center, Golestan University of Medical Sciences, Gorgan, Iran
Sajad Moeini Ph.D. student of Health Policy, Health Management and Social Development Research Center, Golestan University of Medical Sciences, Gorgan, Iran
Zahra Khatirnamani MSc in Biostatistics, Health Management and Social Development Research Center, Golestan University of Medical Sciences, Gorgan, Iran
Fatemeh Kavian Telouri MSc in Health Economics, Health Management and Social Development Research Center, Golestan University of Medical Sciences, Gorgan, Iran
Mousa Eimery MSc in Medical Information Technology Management, Health Management and Social Development Research Center, Golestan University of Medical Sciences, Gorgan, Iran

DOI: https://doi.org/10.18502/mshsj.v6i4.8982

Keywords: COVID-19, Cost of illness, Intensive Care Unit (ICU), Golestan

Abstract

Background: Healthcare policymakers and planners use the economic burden of the disease to determine the total cost of an outcome, illness, or accident imposed on the country. The aim of this study was to calculate the direct and indirect medical costs in Covid-19 patients with critical conditions hospitalized in the intensive care unit in Golestan province.

Methods: This descriptive-analytical study was a partial economic evaluation performed cross-sectionally, and included all hospitalized patients with critical conditions in the first 6 months of 2020 in a public hospital in the Covid-19 center (158 patients).The required data were collected from patients' records by the hospital information system. Data analysis and calculation of direct medical and indirect costs of the disease in this research study was carried out based on the incidence approach and bottom-up method from the perspective of the society.

Results: The average direct medical cost per hospitalized patient in a critical condition was 214, 926, 500 rials. Hospitalization and pharmaceutical services accounted for the largest share of the costs. The average indirect cost for each patient in a critical condition was estimated at 959,577,714 rials.

Conclusion: The results of the study showed a huge economic burden of Covid-19 on society and the health system. The high prevalence of this disease has imposed huge economic damages on society and the country's health system.