Cost of treating heart failure in an Irish teaching hospital.
BACKGROUND
The prevalence of heart failure is 3 to 20 per 1,000 population, but may exceed 100 per 1,000 in the over 65 age group. Some 1-2% of the total healthcare budget is consumed in the management of heart failure.


OBJECTIVE
As hospital costs account for approximately 70% of this expenditure we determined the cost of treating heart failure in an Irish teaching hospital.


METHODS
Cost evaluation was from the hospital perspective using a microcosting detailed collection of resources used.


RESULTS
The average cost of a hospital admission for cardiac failure was IR 2,146 Pounds. The average cost per day was IR 193 Pounds. Approximately 75% of hospital costs were associated with ward costs. Medications accounted for 3.5% of total costs.


CONCLUSIONS
The availability of Irish cost data is essential for the assessment of the cost-effectiveness of therapeutic interventions for the treatment of heart failure in our healthcare system.
McGowan
B
B
National Centre for Pharmacoeconomics, St James's Hospital, James's Street, Dublin 8.
Heerey
A
A
Ryan
M
M
Barry
M
M
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D016527:Drug Costs; D005260:Female; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000191:economics* / Q000628:therapy; D017721:Hospital Costs; D006784:Hospitals, Teaching / Q000191:economics*; D006801:Humans; D007494:Ireland / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged