estimating direct cost of hospitalization associated with burn patients in imam khomeini hospital of kermanshah , iran , 2011

background and aims: burn injuries gives rise to mortality and long-term disability, and impose a high economic burden on patients, their families, and society.  thus, we investigated the direct hospitalization costs of the 388 burn patients admitted to the burn center of imam khomeini hospital in kermanshah province of iran. material and methods: this  retrospective study was conducted on all patients admitted due to burns between  march 21st , 2011  until  march 20th ,   2012 in imam khomeini hospital   of kermanshah. the data was collected by reviewing medical records and a research- made checklist. results:the mean cost per patient was 20463227 rials while for females and males it were 2207182 and 19113198 rials, respectively. the highest cost  was related to drugs and other consumable items (52% of total costs), followed by hotelling (34% of total costs). the mean cost per one day hospitalization and one percent of total body surface area (tbsa)  for females  was  2136619 and 489439 iranian rials, respectively, and    2419392 and 674690 rials for  males   conclusion: this study provides a comprehensive view about the cost of burn patients for both hospitals administrators and health policy-makers. the length of stay (los) with regard to the extent of burn is an important variable in total costs, hence the facilitation in reception and discharge  can  improve  the quality of health services in different levels and reduce the los and cost of hospitalization. keywords: burns, costs and cost analysis, hospitals