Just how expensive is intensive care? Now we know
The cost of public hospital intensive care has been tallied for the first time, and it is R22,870 a day.
The amount applies to only one institution – the 846-bed Inkosi Albert Luthuli Central Hospital in Durban – and is based on the 2015/16 financial year.
The University of KwaZulu-Natal medics who came up with the number said the introduction of National Health Insurance meant it was vital information.
“Hospitals will be expected to be competitive and efficient while recovering their costs through the insurance system,” said lead author Saajida Mahomed, reporting her findings in the January edition of the SA Medical Journal.
“Costing of individual patient services ... is therefore an important precursor to the implementation of NHI.”..
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