Care and Charges for Acute Cerebral Infarction Inpatients in China: A Hospital Based Study in Soochow

• Published in: Hong Kong journal of emergency medicine Vol. 18; no. 6; pp. 383 - 390
• Main Authors: Wen, ZM, Zhao, HQ, Liu, CF
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London, England SAGE Publications 01.11.2011
• Subjects: Hospital charge; hospital length of stay; ischemic stroke; hospital length of stay; Hospital charge; ischemic stroke
• ISSN: 1024-9079; 2309-5407
• DOI: 10.1177/102490791101800603

Objective The objective of the present study is to evaluate the current status of care and charges of acute ischaemic stroke in a university teaching hospital in China, and to identify the main determinants of such charges. Methods Acute ischaemic stroke patients from July 2009 to June 2010 were considered. We examined demographic data, clinical data, hospital care and outcomes at discharge and hospital charges retrospectively. The influence of medical factors on total charges was analyzed. Results The mean initial National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score of all acute ischaemic stroke patients was 7.2 points. Thirteen percents were total anterior circulation syndrome, 20% were partial anterior circulation syndrome, 7% were posterior circulation syndrome and 60% were lacunar syndrome. The mean hospital length of stay (LOS) was 8.5 days. All patients underwent neuroimaging studies, 2% of whom received thrombolysis, 93% received traditional Chinese medicine injection, 83% received antiplatelet and 6% received anticoagulation therapy, only 29% received in-hospital rehabilitation. The mean hospital charges per patient was ¥9230.2 (US$1357.3), of which 56.2% was attributed to the charges for medications, 13.4% for imaging studies, 12.1% for laboratory examinations. Total hospital charges were correlated strongly with LOS, admission to care unit, and computed tomography angiography or digital subtraction angiography of the brain. Conclusions Total hospital charges correlates significantly with hospital LOS, admission to care unit, investigation with computed tomography angiography or digital subtraction angiography of the brain, while clinical syndromes do not influence total charges independently. The cost of drug is the largest portion of the mean hospital charge. A treatment protocol in acute ischaemic stroke might optimise cost. (Hong Kong j.emerg.med. 2011;18:383-390)