Cost of COVID-19 hospital stays far exceeds other illnesses: study
If you end up in the hospital with COVID-19 in Canada, it’s going to cost the health-care system much more than most other illnesses, according to a study released Thursday by the Canadian Institute for Health Information.
The study found that the average cost of a COVID-19 patient’s hospital stay is $23,000.
That’s three times the amount that it costs for a hospital stay for a heart attack; four times the cost for a patient hospitalized with the flu; and nearly as much as a hospital stay for a kidney transplant.
Ann Chapman of the Canadian Institute for Health Information says the reason COVID-19 patients cost so much more is because of how long they need to spend in hospital.
According to the report, patients with COVID-19 stayed in hospital an average of 15 days, which is twice as long as patients with pneumonia.
“So what that tells you is if a patient presents in hospital with COVID, they're very sick,” said Chapman on Thursday. “They’re sicker than if they had pneumonia or influenza.”
The study also found that the total cost of COVID-19 hospitalizations across Canada (excluding Quebec) between January 2020 and March 2021 was approximately $1 billion.
Dr. Brian Conway, the head of Vancouver’s Infectious Disease Centre, calls the study “truly astounding.”
“If you compare this to the total cost that’s spent in hospitals over the course of a year, COVID itself has added about two per cent, as a single disease identity, to the total cost spent,” said Conway.
Chapman said the $23,000 is just the average for COVID-19 hospital stays, while the average cost for patients ending up in intensive care is more than $50,000.
“On average they're there for three weeks,” said Chapman of intensive-care patients.
The estimated costs don’t factor in doctor salaries, but the bulk of the expense is attributed to paying other hospital staff, says Chapman.
“That cost of those human resources providing care to people in hospital, that is the biggest cost.”
There are other less tangible, but equally real, costs to the health-care system caused by COVID-19, including non-urgent surgeries that continue to be postponed across B.C.
“It has consequences for everybody else who needs care, and it of course has consequences for you and your family and those who love you and care for you,” said B.C. Health Minister Adrian Dix on Thursday.
As of Thursday, there were 130 patients in intensive care in B.C., only nine of whom were fully vaccinated.
“This just adds to the long list of reasons why you should be vaccinated,” Conway added.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Grandparents killed in wrong-way crash on Hwy. 401 identified
A 60-year-old man and a 55-year-old woman killed in a wrong-way crash on Highway 401 earlier this week have been identified by the Consulate General of India in Toronto.
Police arrest 3 Indian nationals in killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar
Three people have been arrested and charged in the killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar – as authorities continue investigating potential connections to the Indian government.
Suter scores late goal, clinches series for Canucks
Pius Suter scored with 1:39 left and the Vancouver Canucks advanced to the second round of the NHL playoffs with a 1-0 victory over the Nashville Predators on Friday night in Game 6.
TD worst-case scenario more likely after drug money laundering allegations: analyst
TD Bank Group could be hit with more severe penalties than previously expected, says a banking analyst after a report that the investigation it faces in the U.S. is tied to laundering illicit fentanyl profits.
Quebec man who threatened Trudeau, Legault online sentenced to 20 months in jail
A Quebec man who pleaded guilty to threatening Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Premier François Legault has been sentenced to 20 months in jail.
Human remains found in rural Sask. possibly a decade old, RCMP say
RCMP say human remains found in a rural area in central Saskatchewan may have been there for a decade or more.
Britney Spears 'home and safe' after paramedics responded to an incident at the Chateau Marmont, source tells CNN
A source close to singer Britney Spears tells CNN that the pop star is 'home and safe' after she had a 'major fight' with her boyfriend on Wednesday night at the Chateau Marmont in West Hollywood.
Canadian doctor concerned new weight-loss drug Wegovy may be used inappropriately
As Wegovy becomes available to Canadians starting Monday, a medical expert is cautioning patients wanting to use the drug to lose weight that no medication is a ''magic bullet,' and the new medication is meant particularly for people who meet certain criteria related to obesity and weight.
Drew Carey is never quitting 'The Price Is Right'
Drew Carey took over as host of 'The Price Is Right' and hopes he’s there for life. 'I'm not going anywhere,' he told 'Entertainment Tonight' of the job he took over from longtime host Bob Barker in 2007.