Translational and Clinical Research Institute, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK.
Paediatric Immunology, Infectious Diseases and Allergy, Newcastle Upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Great North Children's Hospital, Newcastle Upon Tyne, UK.
BMJ Paediatr Open. 2024 Jun 6;8(1):e002489. doi: 10.1136/bmjpo-2023-002489.
To assess the financial non-medical out-of-pocket costs of hospital admissions for children with a febrile illness.
Single-centre survey-based study conducted between March and November 2022.
Tertiary level children's hospital in the North East of England.
Families of patients with febrile illness attending the paediatric emergency department MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Non-medical out-of-pocket costs for the admission were estimated by participants including: transport, food and drinks, child care, miscellaneous costs and loss of earnings.
83 families completed the survey. 79 families (95.2%) reported non-medical out-of-pocket costs and 19 (22.9%) reported financial hardship following their child's admission.Total costs per day of admission were median £56.25 (IQR £32.10-157.25). The majority of families reported incurring transport (N=75) and food and drinks (N=71) costs.
A child's hospital admission for fever can incur significant financial costs for their family. One in five participating families reported financial hardship following their child's admission. Self-employed and single parents were disadvantaged by unplanned hospital admissions and at an increased risk of financial hardship. Local hospital policies should be improved to support families in the current financial climate.
评估因发热疾病住院的儿童的非医疗财务自费支出。
2022 年 3 月至 11 月间进行的单中心基于调查的研究。
英格兰东北部的一家三级儿童医院。
因发热疾病就诊于儿科急诊部的患儿家属。
由参与者估算住院期间的非医疗自费支出，包括：交通、食品和饮料、儿童保育、杂项费用和收入损失。
83 个家庭完成了调查。79 个家庭（95.2%）报告了非医疗自费支出，19 个家庭（22.9%）报告了在孩子住院后出现经济困难。住院每天的总费用中位数为 56.25 英镑（IQR 32.10-157.25）。大多数家庭报告了交通（N=75）和食品和饮料（N=71）支出。
儿童因发热住院会给其家庭带来重大经济负担。参与调查的五分之一家庭报告在孩子住院后出现经济困难。个体经营者和单亲父母因计划外住院而处于不利地位，并且面临更大的经济困难风险。当地医院政策应加以改进，以在当前的财务环境下为家庭提供支持。
