Healthcare Costs Related to Respiratory Syncytial Virus in Paediatric Intensive Care Units in the Netherlands: a Nationwide Prospective Observational Study (the BRICK Study)

Overview

Journal Lancet Reg Health Eur

Specialty Health Services

Date 2024 Jul 23

PMID 39040526

Authors

Emily W E M Phijffer

Joanne G Wildenbeest

Carole N M Brouwer

Matthijs de Hoog

Martin C J Kneyber

Sofie Maebe

Anneliese Nusmeier

Maaike A Riedijk

Roelie M Wosten-van Asperen

Job B M van Woensel

Louis J Bont

Geert J W Frederix

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Background: The implementation of the approved respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) preventive interventions in immunisation programmes is advancing rapidly. Insight into healthcare costs of RSV-related paediatric intensive care unit (PICU) admissions is lacking, but of great importance to evaluate the impact of implementation. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the total annual RSV-related paediatric intensive care healthcare costs in the Netherlands.

Methods: A nationwide prospective, observational, multicenter study was performed from September 2021 until June 2023. The total annual RSV-related healthcare costs on PICUs in the Netherlands were calculated using RSV-related costs (subgroup I) and consequential costs (subgroup II and III). Subgroup I comprised all PICU admitted infants ≤12 months of age with laboratory-confirmed RSV infection. Subgroup II and III consisted of postponed elective PICU admissions and refused acute PICU admissions due to RSV-related lack of PICU capacity.

Findings: A total of 424 infants with RSV-related PICU admission were included. Median age at PICU admission was 46 days (IQR 25-89). The median length of PICU admission was 5 days (IQR 3-8). The total RSV-related PICU costs are € 3,826,386 in 2021-2022, and € 3,183,888 in 2022-2023. Potential costs averted by RSV preventive interventions is € 1.9 to € 2.6 million depending on season, and the duration of protection.

Interpretation: RSV-related PICU admissions cost €3.1 to €3.8 million in the Netherlands during one season. The introduction of new RSV preventive interventions into the Dutch immunisation programme will generate significant cost-savings on PICUs and decreases the admission burden of PICUs.

Funding: None.

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