Abstract

ARCINIEGAS, William; BOLIVAR, Fabio  and  CANO, Diana Jimena. Evaluation of costs of a program of domiciliary oxygen therapy. Rev. Univ. Ind. Santander. Salud [online]. 2010, vol.42, n.1, pp.48-54. ISSN 0121-0807.

Introduction: Cardio-respiratory diseases are the largest causes of death and disability in the world. Long-term oxygen therapy in severe chronic hypoxemic improves survival, however, it is one expensive therapy and exert a large burden on the health systems. In Colombia the cost of this therapy are not quantified. Objective: Describe the costs of the administering long-term oxygen in a group of patients enrolled in a program of domiciliary oxygen in Pereira, Colombia. Material and methods: Study prospective descriptive. We describe the clinical characteristics and calculated the costs of administration of: oxygen, medication, vaccination, nebulization and hospital care. Results: A total of 215 patients were evaluated with a median age of 70 years, 78.1%% had chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, median PaO2 was 50 mmHg. The average monthly consumption of oxygen was 4 cylinders per month, 28.3% of patients met the 15 hours of use per day. Finally, the annual cost of oxygen consumption was 322,200 US. and 561.555 US. program (Hospitalization 188,650 US, 17.670 US Drugs, Emergency 16.445US, Nebulization 14.040 US, Vaccinations 2.550 US). Conclusion: The costs of therapy with long-term home oxygen are high, needs to be optimized prescription, patient adherence to treatment and application of clinical practice guidelines to ensure proper utilization of resources by avoiding excessive costs. Salud UIS 2010; 42: 48-54.

Keywords : Oxygen inhalation therapy; costs; COPD; therapeutics.

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