Hospitalization costs of severe bacterial pneumonia in children: comparative analysis considering different costing methods

Resumo

Objective: To determine and compare hospitalization costs of bacterial community-acquired pneumonia cases via different costing methods under the Brazilian Public Unified Health System perspective. Methods: Cost-of-illness study based on primary data collected from a sample of 59 children aged between 28 days and 35 months and hospitalized due to bacterial pneumonia. Direct medical and non-medical costs were considered and three costing methods employed: micro-costing based on medical record review, micro-costing based on therapeutic guidelines and gross-costing based on the Brazilian Public Unified Health System reimbursement rates. Costs estimates obtained via different methods were compared using the Friedman test. Results: Cost estimates of inpatient cases of severe pneumonia amounted to R$ 780,70/$Int. 858.7 (medical record review), R$ 641,90/$Int. 706.90 (therapeutic guidelines) and R$ 594,80/$Int. 654.28 (Brazilian Public Unified Health System reimbursement rates). Costs estimated via micro-costing (medical record review or therapeutic guidelines) did not differ significantly (p=0.405), while estimates based on reimbursement rates were significantly lower compared to estimates based on therapeutic guidelines (p<0.001) or record review (p=0.006). Conclusion: Brazilian Public Unified Health System costs estimated via different costing methods differ significantly, with gross-costing yielding lower cost estimates. Given costs estimated by different micro-costing methods are similar and costing methods based on therapeutic guidelines are easier to apply and less expensive, this method may be a valuable alternative for estimation of hospitalization costs of bacterial community-acquired pneumonia in children.

Descrição

Palavras-chave

Pneumonia, Hospitalization, Child, Costs and cost analysis, Health expenditures, Medical records, Unified Health System, Pneumonia, Hospitalização, Criança, Custos e análise de custo, Gastos em saúde, Registros médicos, Sistema Único de Saúde

Citação

NUNES, Sheila Elke Araujo et al. Hospitalization costs of severe bacterial pneumonia in children: comparative analysis considering different costing methods. Einstein, São Paulo, v. 15, n. 2, p. 212-219, 2017. DOI: 10.1590/S1679-45082017GS3855. Disponível em: https://www.scielo.br/j/eins/a/LpgSrXtHwf4xjb4bxcJLKJp. Acesso em: 12 ago. 2024.