Kanerva Mari, Rautava Kalle, Kurvinen Tiina, Marttila Harri, Finnilä Taru, Rantakokko-Jalava Kaisu, Pietilä Mikko, Mustonen Pirjo, Kortelainen Mika
Infection Control Unit, Turku University Central Hospital, The Wellbeing Services County of Southwest Finland, Turku, Finland.
Financial Unit, Turku University Central Hospital, The Wellbeing Services County of Southwest Finland, Turku, Finland.
PLoS One. 2025 May 13;20(5):e0323200. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0323200. eCollection 2025.
The COVID-19 pandemic has increased morbidity and mortality, along with substantial economic repercussions for healthcare systems and communities worldwide. This study describes the costs incurred by one of the biggest university hospitals in Finland during the first three years of the pandemic, from 2020 to 2022.
A retrospective analysis was conducted at a 950-bed tertiary care hospital, encompassing data from 2020 to 2022. Hospitalized COVID-19 cases were identified from an automated surveillance program that integrated microbiological and administrative data. Patient-level data, including hospitalization demographics, vaccination status, and outcomes, were collected. Billing costs, indirect costs, and operational data were obtained to assess hospital costs comprehensively.
During 2020-2022, 2 555 COVID-19-positive patients were treated at the hospital. Of them, 57% were hospitalized primarily for COVID-19 with the hospital billing costs of 14 492 399 € (median 4 137 €/ patient), and 47% of these costs were due to intensive care. Including ER visits of COVID-19 outpatients, admission screening and isolation costs of COVID-19 positive patients hospitalized for other reasons and indirect expenses, the total costs reached 28 899 298 € over three years. Additionally, the hospital incurred losses of income due to postponed elective surgeries.
The economic burden of COVID-19 at the considered university hospital was substantial. Intensive care costs were a significant driver. This study provides a comprehensive overview of the economic and disease burden of COVID-19 at a tertiary care hospital, highlighting the need for strategic planning and financial readiness to address the costs associated with pandemics.
新冠疫情增加了发病率和死亡率，同时给全球医疗系统和社区带来了巨大的经济影响。本研究描述了芬兰最大的大学医院之一在疫情头三年（2020年至2022年）所产生的费用。
在一家拥有950张床位的三级护理医院进行了回顾性分析，涵盖2020年至2022年的数据。通过整合微生物学和管理数据的自动监测程序识别住院的新冠病例。收集了患者层面的数据，包括住院人口统计学、疫苗接种状况和结果。获取计费成本、间接成本和运营数据以全面评估医院成本。
2020年至2022年期间，该医院共治疗了2555名新冠阳性患者。其中，57%的患者主要因新冠住院，医院计费成本为14492399欧元（中位数为4137欧元/患者），其中47%的成本用于重症监护。包括新冠门诊患者的急诊就诊、因其他原因住院的新冠阳性患者的入院筛查和隔离成本以及间接费用，三年总费用达到28899298欧元。此外，医院因择期手术推迟而收入受损。
在所研究的大学医院，新冠疫情带来的经济负担巨大。重症监护成本是一个重要驱动因素。本研究全面概述了三级护理医院新冠疫情的经济和疾病负担，强调了进行战略规划和财务准备以应对疫情相关成本的必要性。
