[The incidence and cost of severe sepsis in intensive care units]

The aim of the study was to determine the incidence and mortality of sepsis and to analyse the direct costs of severe sepsis treated in intensive care unit in Hungary.

National data on sepsis demography, incidence and mortality were collected using the database of Hungarian Health Fund, Year 2001. The cost of treating severe sepsis was calculated by retrospective data collection of resource use in 6 ICUs. Personnel costs were calculated from annual salary report and the indirect costs were estimated by the financial director of each participating hospital. To validate retrospective data, the ICUs organised a prospective cost-analysis during one month period.

There were 2659 patients reported with septic DRG code in Hungary. The mortality of sepsis is 42.7%, the average length of stay is 14.5 days (SD-17.4). Patients discharged from ICU after sepsis remained in hospital for further 18.1 days (SD-18). The mortality of severe sepsis in the pilot sample (n = 70) was found to be 64.2%, with average length of stay 15.5 (SD-10.2). The average daily ICU cost of severe sepsis is HUF 107 200 (429 Euro). Consumables account for 68% of total cost, the personnel 26.3% and clinical support 5.7%.

The mortality of severe sepsis is high and the cost of treating severe sepsis is four times more then the average ICU daily cost. To take into account the much longer length of stay (15.5 vs. 5 day), annual cost of septic patients is HUF 4.4 billions (1 140000 Euro) in Hungary.