Treatment Cost of Road Traffic Accidents (Rtas) At A Teaching Hospital in Pakistan: A Step-Down Costing Study

Abstract

Objective: To determine the health provider cost of treatment for road traffic accidents in public sector, tertiary level hospital: Islamabad Region-Pakistan.

Materials & Methods: A step down cost accounting approach was used to estimate the costs. Costs included personnel, equipment, direct and indirect costs. Data about the number of injuries resulting from RTAs between January to December, 2015 was obtained from HMIS Database of PIMS hospital, Islamabad. Treatment costs of injuries were identified by reviewing all 2400 medical records in a year that were selected universally who were admitted in department of accident & emergency, PIMS hospital.

Results: Total budget of PIMS hospital for the year 2015 was PKR. 2,385 million ($ 22,362,869) in which 7% (PKR. 166,950,000; $1,565,401) were allocated for Department of Accident & Emergency. Out of this budget, 80% (Rs. 133,560,000; $1,252,321) were allocated for patients admitted in the hospital in emergency. In total 2,400 admitted patients of road traffic accidents (RTAs) were included in the study period. The total annual burden of cost on the treatment of admitted patients of RTA was about PKR. 96,808,130 ($907,718) which was 57.98% of the total budget allocated for Department of Accident & Emergency. Direct costs were RKR. 21,816,621 (22.54 %; $204,563). The total indirect cost were PKR. 7,474,782 (7.72 %;$70,087) whereas personnel cost were PKR. 56,844,000 (58.72%; $532,996) while equipment cost absorbed PKR. 10,672,727 (11.02 % of the total costs on RTA, $100,072).

Conclusion: This study indicated that the burden of injuries and cost of treatment incurred as a result of road traffic accidents in Islamabad is substantial which can now safely be a reason at this time to open eyes for the government and stakeholders to foresee the rest of the other urban areas of the country.