Catastrophic health care expenditure due to septic shock and dengue shock in Vietnam.
McBride A., Thuy Duong B., Chau Nguyen VV., Thwaites CL., Turner HC., Hao Nguyen V.
BackgroundThe cost of treatment for infectious shock in intensive care in Vietnam is unknown.MethodsWe prospectively investigated hospital bills for adults treated for septic and dengue shock in Vietnam and calculated the proportion who faced catastrophic health care expenditures.ResultsThe median hospital bills were US$617 for septic shock (n=100) and US$57 for dengue shock (n=88). Catastrophic payments were incurred by 47% (47/100) and 13% (11/88) of patients with septic shock and dengue shock, respectively, and 56% (25/45) and 84% (5/6) fatal cases of septic shock and dengue shock respectively.ConclusionsFurther advocacy is required to moderate insurance co-payments for costly critical care interventions.