Cost of treating acute myocardial infarction in an Irish teaching hospital

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Health Economics

Background:

• Acute myocardial infarction (AMI) represents a significant cause of hospital admissions in Ireland, with approximately 6,500 cases annually.
• Hospital admissions are a major driver of healthcare expenditure, necessitating detailed cost analyses.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the specific costs associated with the hospital treatment of acute myocardial infarction (AMI).
• To provide a hospital-level economic perspective on AMI care.

Main Methods:

• A micro-costing approach was employed for detailed resource utilization data collection.
• The cost evaluation was conducted from the perspective of a teaching hospital.

Main Results:

• The average cost for a hospital admission due to AMI was calculated at £3,976.
• The average daily cost of care for AMI patients was £501.
• Ward costs constituted approximately 50% of total hospital costs, followed by procedures (35%) and medications (7%).

Conclusions:

• Hospitalization for AMI incurs substantial costs, with significant contributions from ward care and procedures.
• Understanding the cost breakdown is crucial for resource allocation and cost-efficiency initiatives in managing AMI.