OBJECTIVES: It has already been demonstrated that malnutrition slows recovery time and increases hospitalization times. Prevention, diagnosis and compensation for nutritional deficiencies should be carried out regularly for hospitalized patients with COVID-19 in the rehabilitation unit to improve both short-term and long-term prognosis.The purpose of this study was to determine the economic feasibility of using the ONS NUTRIDRINK® 200 ml to provide a required nutritional support for patients with moderate-to-severe COVID-19.

METHODS: Mathematical methods of analysis were used based on the Russian prospective, open-label, two-arm comparative, investigator-initiated, low-interventional, observational, randomized study evaluating the effect of NUTRIDRINK® 200ml Specialty Nutritional Formula (ONS) on the recovery ability of COVID-19 patients was presented. (RECOVID Study). The reduction in the duration of respiratory support and especially the total days of hospitalization, were observed during the RECOVID study and had statistical significance both in the general population and in all subpopulations of patients. Increasing the hospital beds turnover rate not only allows for providing high-quality and timely care to a larger number of patients, but also allows the medical organization to receive a greater amount of funding from the Compulsory Medical Insurance Fund.

RESULTS: Nutritional support (NUTRIDRINK® 200ml 2 bottles per day) started simultaneously with the respiratory support, when feasible, increases bed turnover rate by 25,1% and counts in additional 5,57 patients per 1 hospital bed in a year perspective. On a basis of existing tariffs applicable in Russian Federation this makes an additional income of about 7,6K Euro per bed per year to the Healthcare institution, following current RUR/EUR exchange rate.

CONCLUSIONS: Thus, the use of specialized nutrition NUTRIDRINK® 200ml in patients with COVID-19 in the hospital is economically justified in consideration of the study population. Obtained results could become an important indicator for healthcare providers and used when planning bed capacity to fight the novel coronavirus pandemic.