The Costs of Medical Care for Covid-19 Patients: A case study in Turkey

Main Article Content

Cenk Teker
Dogancan Cavmak
Hakan Avci

Abstract

Objective: This study aims to calculate the medical costs of Covid-19 patients for hospitals based on the severity of clinical care.


Design: The study was conducted in a hospital in Istanbul/Turkey. A micro-costing approach was performed using historical cost data for one year. All direct and indirect medical inputs were determined in quantities and monetary values for four types of Covid-19 patients in the hospital.


Results: The analysis calculated the unit cost of an outpatient to be 459,99 ₺, while the cost per day for inpatient to be 1.184,63 ₺, for non-intubated in intensive care unit to be 1.938,11, for intubated in the intensive unit to be 2.393,99₺. The study also indicates that the total cost of a non-intubated patient in intensive care units is 1,54 times higher than the total cost per inpatient. An intubated patient’s cost is 2,08 times higher than an inpatient’s cost.


Conclusion: This study indicates that Covid-19 patients incur significantly high costs for hospitals. The findings of the study provide empirical data for different types of patients which can be used in clinical management and can help all related governing bodies to plan their actions and make the decisions

Article Details

How to Cite
Teker, C., Cavmak, D., & Avci, H. (2021). The Costs of Medical Care for Covid-19 Patients: A case study in Turkey. Asia Pacific Journal of Health Management, 16(4), 186-195. https://doi.org/10.24083/apjhm.v16i4.1167
Section
Research Articles
Author Biographies

Cenk Teker, Vocational School, Nisantasi University, Turkey

M.D., PhD, Vocational School, Nisantasi University, Turkey

Dogancan Cavmak, Vocational School of Healthcare Services, Tarsus University, Turkey

Lecturer, Vocational School of Healthcare Services, Tarsus University, Turkey

Hakan Avci, Healthcare Management Programme, Nisantasi University, Turkey

Master Student, Healthcare Management Programme, Nisantasi University, Turkey