An analysis of total expenditures on hospitalized patients with diarrhoeal syndrome.
Between the months of June, July, August and September 1992, 175 patients with acute diarrhoeal syndrome were treated at the University Department for Infectious diseases in Rijeka. Among them were 28 refugees and 7 members of the Croatian Army forces. Etiologic agents were isolated in 69 patients, among which 61 was Salmonella. The total cost of treatment was 9.737,203 Croatian Dinars or 51,529 German Marks, obtained on monthly reevaluation of expenditures. A total of 33.3% was spent on accommodation and feeding which was 6% decrease at the on of treatment. On further treatment cost was 33.7%, microbiologic examinations 13.1%, while biochemical examinations was 12.1%. Of the total cost, the X-ray, ultrasound and specialist examinations carried the lowest price of the cost of treatment. Reduction of the cost could be achieved by reducing the duration of hospitalization, which averaged about 8 days per each patient. The routine microbiologic and serologic analysis should be repeated rationally.
Cuculić
M
M
University Department for Infectious Diseases, University Hospital Centre, Rijeka, Croatia.
Skendzić
N
N
Troselj-Vukić
B
B
Brncić-Dabo
N
N
D000208:Acute Disease; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003365:Costs and Cost Analysis; D017523:Croatia; D003967:Diarrhea / Q000191:economics*; D005260:Female; D006760:Hospitalization / Q000191:economics*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged