Economic evaluation of assistance to HIV patients in a Spanish hospital

BackgroundLittle is known about the global effects of HAART on the use of medical resources after the complete implementation of this therapy in Spain. This study was designed to determine the use of medical resources and the costs of health care for HIV-infected patients.MethodsAll patients with HIV infection who came to our institution during the year 2002 were included in the study. We analyzed the global assistance data and pharmaceutical costs during the year. Costs were calculated based on a unitary cost for DRG and an officially assigned standard cost for outpatient clinic, visits to the day care unit and to the emergency room (ER), outpatient surgery, and total costs of pharmacy.ResultsThe total cost for HIV-related health care assistance was €739,048. The cost related to admissions was €150,766.60; €8631 per first visit and €49,199.40 per successive visit; €5085.10 per day care unit; €14,920 per outpatient surgery; €7655.70 per ER visit; and €491,342.40 per antiretroviral treatment. A significant proportion of the total outpatient assistance was given by physicians other than HIV specialists, namely, 63% of the costs attributed to the first visit and 41% per successive visit.ConclusionMore than 50% of the costs of caring for HIV-infected patients are still attributed to antiretroviral therapy. Specialists other than infectious disease specialists provide a significant proportion of outpatient assistance. A method to control HIV costs is greatly needed.