Financial impact of disease-related malnutrition at the San Pedro de Alcántara hospital. Estimated cost savings associated to a specialized nutritional survey

Abstract

Introduction and objectives: DRM is a highly prevalent condition in Spanish hospitals and is associated to increased healthcare costs. Costs associated to DRM were calculated using the methods of the PREDyCES study. The potential savings derived from specialized nutritional treatment were calculated by extrapolating the results of the SNAQ strategy.

Results: Median cost per procedure in patients with DRM was €9,679.85, with a final cost of €28,700,775.2. The cost of each patient with DRM was 2.63 times higher than the cost of patients with no DRM. The potential cost saving associated to specialized nutritional treatment was estimated at €1,682,317.28 (5.86% of total cost associated to DRM).

Conclusions: Patients with DRM showed a higher consumption of financial resources as compared to well-nourished patients. Specialized nutritional treatment is a potential cost-saving procedure.

Keywords: Costes; Costs; Desnutrición relacionada con enfermedad; Disease-related malnutrition; Financial impact; Impacto económico.