Healthcare Resource Utilization and Healthcare costs of patients infected with the SARS-CoV-2 virus in a tertiary care public hospital: A cross-sectional study in Thailand

Abstract Background: Health care costs (HCCs) are a significant concern in developing countries. We investigated the healthcare resource utilization (HCRU) and HCCs for patients with COVID-19 concerning disease-severity and infection site.Methods: We reviewed the data from electronic medical records of COVID-19 patients. We used comorbidity conditions and patient characteristics as covariates. Analyses were conducted using simple linear regression and generalized linear regression models with a log–link and gamma distribution. Results: A total of 202 patients were confirmed to have a SARS-CoV-2 infection. Total costs per patient were USD 6,626 (USD 5,901–7,350). Personal protection equipment costs were the most significant cost for COVID-19 patients (USD 3,777). Mean medication costs per patient were USD 300 (USD 182–419). Patients with severe symptoms and a lower respiratory tract infection (LRI) had a higher cost and resource utilization value both before and after adjusting for covariates.Conclusions: COVID-19 patients with severe symptoms and LRI were associated with higher HCRU. length of stay, severe symptoms, and LRI were associated with a higher cost of treatment.