OBJECTIVES:: estimate the budget impact analysis of treating heart failure in a public hospital in Ecuador and compare it with the use of a preventive technology in this hospital

METHODS:

To estimate the BIA, a protocol developed by the hospital was used. However, this was adjusted according to defined clinical criteria. by technical experts in the medical field within which the parameters for the scheme of management, treatment and follow-up of the evaluated health condition were defined. On the other hand, in order to standardize the procedure fee collection model, the 2014 National Health System Fee Schedule was used as the primary source, as well as the drug prices defined by Secretaria de Fijacion de Precios de Medicamentos. All values were adjusted according to PPP.

RESULTS: The representativeness of the cost of the diagnosis, treatment and follow-up phases (and complementary hospitalization in patients who require it), whether the gateway was an emergency or an outpatient consultation, would be 11.5% of the budget assigned to the public hospital in 2022. Similar to the treatment schedule of similar conditions, the biggest financial burden comes from the drugs that patients have to take indefinitely. Considering the same population, if these patients would have been screened using a technology such as NT-PRO BNP, the budget impact is 0.05% for 2022.

CONCLUSIONS: Prevention has been proven to be the most cost efficient strategy specially when related to NCDs. In LMICs such as Ecuador, the need of financial resources increases overtime. Thus, the implementation of technologies that can prevent or efficiently provide a diagnosis, is the best option for all hospitals. In the case of this hospital, the amount of resources devoted to heart failure has an important opportunity cost.