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Cost analysis of Afghanistan essential package of hospital services (EPHS)
Results: The average bed occupancy rate (BOR) across the hospitals is 72 percent - lower than the conventional target of 85 percent. The aggregate average length of stay (ALOS) is 2.7 days.
The total cost of nine EPHS hospitals was $11,217,298. On average, inpatient services at EPHS hospitals cost $8,873 per occupied bed per year, or $24 per occupied bed per day. The total cost per inpatient is approximately $66. However, the average cost per outpatient visit is $2.15, which is lower than the cost to provide outpatient services through the BPHS.
Conclusion: The EPHS costing results provide baseline overview of costs, resources, and services during the study period. Findings show that a number of EPHS hospitals are underutilized and there is a high variation in the average cost per occupied bed and OPD. These results indicate a number of existing inefficiencies that must be addressed. Most importantly, mechanisms for greater transparency and accountability in all hospital functions – financial management, human resources recruitment and retention, medical outcomes – are needed to improve efficiency, reduce costs, and improve quality.
Biostatistics, economics
Learning Objectives:
Discuss the challenges in the hospital administration and leadership in a developing country (Afghanistan)
Evaluate the current trends in provincial hospitals of Afghanistan
Learn about the actual costs, resources and services of essential package of hospital services (EPHS)
Keywords: Cost Issues, Hospitals
Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: Dr. Husnia Sadat has been working with the Health Economics and Financing Directorate of the Ministry of Public Health for over three years. Hospital cost analysis has been a topic of interest for her and she is a coauthor of this study.
Any relevant financial relationships? No
I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.