International Programme for Resource Use in Critical Care (IPOC)--a methodology and initial results of cost and provision in four European countries.
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.
Negrini
D
D
Medical Economics Research Centre Sheffield (MERCS), Sheffield, UK.
Sheppard
L
L
Mills
G H
GH
Jacobs
P
P
Rapoport
J
J
Bourne
R S
RS
Guidet
B
B
Csomos
A
A
Prien
T
T
Anderson
G
G
Edbrooke
D L
DL
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