1. Cost analysis of inpatients in a psychiatric clinic of a university hospital.
- Author
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Ulas H and Tunca Z
- Abstract
Objective: Inpatient cost of psychiatric disorders in Turkey is unknown. The aim of this study is to calculate the annual cost of inpatient population in a Psychiatric clinic of a university hospital in Turkey. Methods: The authors analyzed the data of psychiatric patients treated in the inpatient psychiatric clinic of the Dokuz Eylül University Hospital between January 2007 and December 2007. Retrospective chart review was performed to obtain sociodemographic and clinical data. The average annual inpatient treatment cost was calculated by multiplying the mean number of hospitalization by the average inpatient expenditure, and comparisons were made among 3 different diagnostic groups: psychotic disorders, mood disorders and other psychiatric disorders. Results: 291 inpatients were included in the study. The mean age of the patients was 39.9±15 years, the mean number of hospitalization was 1.04±0.2, the mean duration of hospitalization was 34.02±19.38 days and 53% of the patients were female. The average inpatient treatment cost of an individual patient was 1340.45±989.98 Turkish Liras (1029.69 US Dollars), and the cost of inpatient hospitalization per day was 40.81±21.67 Turkish Liras (31.35 US Dollars). The total inpatient costs were higher in psychotic disorders and mood disorders than in other psychiatric disorders. Conclusion: The annual inpatient treatment cost of psychiatric patients in Turkey is found to be lower than those in developed countries. There is insufficient data on the cost of psychiatric disorders in our country, and such information is important for planning mental health policy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2010