title: International Programme for Resource Use in Critical Care (IPOC)--a methodology and initial results of cost and provision in four European countries.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  A standardized top-down costing method is not currently available internationally. An internally validated method developed in the UK was modified for use in critical care in different countries. Costs could then be compared using the World Health Organization's Purchasing Power Parities (WHO PPPs).
  
  
  METHODS
  This was an observational, retrospective, cross-sectional, multicentre study set in four European countries: France, UK, Germany and Hungary. A total of 329 adult intensive care units (ICUs) participated in the study.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The costs are reported in international dollars ($) derived from the WHO PPP programme. The results show significant differences in resource use and costs of ICUs over the four countries. On the basis of the sum of the means for the major components, the average cost per patient day in UK hospitals was $1512, in French hospitals $934, in German hospitals $726 and in Hungarian hospitals $280.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The reasons for such differences are poorly understood but warrant further investigation. This information will allow us to better adjust our measures of international ICU costs.
authors.affiliation: Medical Economics Research Centre Sheffield (MERCS), Sheffield, UK.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Negrini
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Sheppard
authors.forename: G H
authors.initials: GH
authors.lastname: Mills
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Jacobs
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Rapoport
authors.forename: R S
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Bourne
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Guidet
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Csomos
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Prien
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Anderson
authors.forename: D L
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Edbrooke
mesh_terms: D003365:Costs and Cost Analysis; D003422:Critical Care / Q000191:economics* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005602:France; D005858:Germany; D006295:Health Resources / Q000191:economics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D017721:Hospital Costs; D006801:Humans; D006814:Hungary; D007362:Intensive Care Units / Q000191:economics* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D007902:Length of Stay; D008505:Medical Staff, Hospital / Q000191:economics; D006113:United Kingdom; D014944:World Health Organization