Background: Stroke represents a significant global health burden with escalating incidence rates and healthcare costs. This study analyzes hospitalization costs for stroke patients from both healthcare provider and payer perspectives to inform resource allocation and enhance system efficiency.
Methods: This cross-sectional study examined data from 7,932 stroke patients (ICD-10 codes I60-I69) treated at Songkhla Hospital, Thailand (2019-2023). Analysis included inpatient costs across stroke types, readmission rates, and costs under different Universal Health Coverage schemes using SPSS version 17.
Results: The cohort comprised predominantly males (57.07%), with mean age 64.70 years and average hospital stay 4.67 days. Ischemic stroke constituted 79.84% of cases, with Universal Coverage Scheme covering 75.57% of patients. Patient volume increased by 23.04% over the study period, with 5.14% one-year readmission rate. Total treatment costs reached 198,230,040.5 Baht (mean 23,624.12 Baht/year). Hemorrhagic stroke costs exceeded ischemic stroke by 14,802.86 Baht annually. First-time median costs were 11,152 Baht for ischemic and 21,451 Baht for hemorrhagic strokes. Diagnosis-Related Groups (DRG) reimbursements were consistently lower than accounting costs, particularly for extended hospitalizations.
Conclusion: Findings demonstrate substantial cost variations between stroke types and payment mechanisms, highlighting the need for DRG system refinement to better reflect actual care costs.

Authors:
Supawadee Suwanno, Thaksin University, Thailand
Phatthira Thongphlat, Thaksin University, Thailand
Phatlapha Kaewnu, Thaksin University, Thailand
Huda Juma, Thaksin University, Thailand
Vallop Ditsuwan, Thaksin University, Thailand
Thanittha Ditsuwan, Office of Disease Prevention and Control Region 12 Songkhla, Thailand

About the Presenter(s)
Supawadee Suwanno is a Public Health Academician at Songkhla Hospital currently studying for a Master's degree at the Faculty of Health and Sports Science, Thaksin University in Thailand.

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