Economic burden of drug use in patients with acute burns: experience in a developing country.

Autor: Ogundipe KO; Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital, 240001 Ilorin, Nigeria., Adigun IA, Solagberu BA
Jazyk: angličtina
Zdroj: Journal of tropical medicine [J Trop Med] 2009; Vol. 2009, pp. 734712. Date of Electronic Publication: 2009 Aug 31.
DOI: 10.1155/2009/734712
Abstrakt: Background/Objective. Burn injury is a devastating injury. The economic drain on the patient's purse is equally devastating. Few studies have examined the cost of managing burn patients particularly the drug component. Methods. The financial implication of drug use in the management of 69 consecutive patients admitted by the burn unit over a period of two years was retrospectively analysed. Results. Thirty-six (52.2%) patients were males and 33 (47.8%) females with a mean age of 17.9 years (SD = 18.4). The patients spent an average sum of $91.21 to procure drugs; 84.3% of the costs were for antibiotics, 11.1% for analgesics, and 4.6% for others. Conclusion. Significant amount of money is spent on the procurement of drugs. Most of the money is spent on prescribed antibiotics. Measures that reduce antibiotics use in burn management might relief patients of the huge economic burden associated with its use.
Databáze: MEDLINE