Conference Call Summary, page-334

Intersting article:

Direct Medical Costs of Bronchiolitis Hospitalizations in the United States


http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/118/6/2418

RESULTS. In 2002, an estimated 149000 patients were hospitalized with bronchiolitis. Frequency of hospitalizations was higher among children age <1 year of age, male gender, and nonwhite race. Mean length of stay was 3.3 days. Total annual costs for bronchiolitis-related hospitalizations were $543 million, with a mean cost of $3799 per hospitalization. Mean cost of bronchiolitis with a codiagnosis of pneumonia was $6191. In a multivariate analysis controlling for 3 confounding factors (including length of stay), cost per hospitalization was higher for children ≥1 year and lower for those in the South versus Northeast.

CONCLUSIONS. Bronchiolitis admissions cost more than $500 million annually. A codiagnosis of bronchiolitis and pneumonia almost doubles the cost of the hospitalization. Inpatient health care costs of bronchiolitis are higher than estimated previously and highlight the need for initiatives to safely reduce bronchiolitis hospitalizations and thereby decrease health care costs.

Any reason why we can't monetise the positive results in relation to Bronchiolitis?