Abstract

GENTILE, Ángela et al. Cost of Bordetella pertussis illness in tertiary hospitals in Argentina. Arch. argent. pediatr. [online]. 2013, vol.111, n.4, pp.295-302. ISSN 0325-0075.  http://dx.doi.org/10.5546/aap.2013.295.

The National Immunization Commission and the National Program for the Control of Vaccine-Preventable Diseases (Programa Nacional de Control de Enfermedades Inmunoprevenibles, ProNaCEI) updated the immunization policy in relation to Bordetella pertussis (BP) in 2009 in order to improve the control of this disease in accordance with international recommendations. To evaluate the fnancial impact of this new immunization policy, we must frst know the cost on the health system of having a hospitalized or outpatient child infected with BP. The objective of this study was to describe the profle of costs of hospitalized or outpatient children with laboratory-confrmed BP infection in three hospitals of Argentina. This was a prospective study of the cost of BP in the period between December 2010 and March 2012. Results. The total cost for the entire cohort was 1 170 663.32 ARS (236 497.64 USD); direct medical costs were 1 124 052.31 ARS (227 081.27 USD); indirect costs and out-of-pocket expenses were 46 611 ARS (9416.6 USD). From this data, it is possible to conclude that the total average cost per patient was 10 546.52 ARS (95% CI: 9009-13 840) (2130.60 USD, 95% CI: 1820-2795), the direct medical cost per patient was 10 126.6 ARS (95% CI: 8607-13 171) (2045.77 USD, 95% CI: 1738-2660), and the indirect plus out-of-pocket costs (transportation and extras) were 419.92 ARS (95% CI: 344.7-565.3) (84 USD, 95% CI: 69-115). Conclusion. The cost of a hospitalized child with confrmed BP is 10 546.52 ARS (95% CI: 9009-13 840) (2130.60 USD, 95% CI: 1820-2795). Direct non-medical costs and overhead costs account for 4% of the total cost, amounting to 419.91 ARS per family (84 USD, 95% CI: 69-115), approximately an 8% of an average salary.

Keywords : Bordetella pertussis; Costs; Cost analysis; Immunization.

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