Cost Burden Of ILI In Elderly Highlights Importance Of Vaccination.(Brief Article)

2001 SEP 5 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) --

by N.R. Saltmarsh, staff medical writer - Better coverage of nursing home residents with influenza vaccine could prevent their hospitalization and associated costs for influenza-like illness (ILI).

N.V. Carroll and associates at the Medical College of Virginia studied the direct medical and medically related transportation costs for patients in long-term care facilities (LTCFs) in Richmond, VA, who had ILI from January to May 1999.

The researchers considered patient demographics, ILI status, vaccination for influenza and streptococcal pneumonia, diagnosis of asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and utilization of health care services related to ILI in this retrospective chart review. Costs were based on average wholesale prices (for drugs) and Medicare or Medicaid reimbursement rates for services such as emergency room visits, diagnostic tests, hospitalizations, and transportation.

Of the 551 patients for whom data were gathered, 112 patients had been diagnosed with 128 cases of ILI, 22 patients with ILI had 28 visits to emergency rooms, and 30 patients with ILI had 36 hospitalizations, reported Carroll and coworkers.

The mean cost per case of ILI was $1,341 +/- $2,063, with inpatient hospital ...