According to a recent report from the Canadian Institute for Health Information (CIHI) [1], which examined 2.4 million recorded hospital stays (outside of Quebec), an average patient stay in Canada costs almost $7,000. The study focused on the cost of treating those patients admitted to hospital for at least one night and does not include the cost of emergency care, day surgery, long-term care, hospital clinics or fee-for-service payments to physicians.

The study also concluded that underlying chronic conditions or their complications account for almost 30% of money spent on inpatient care in Canadian acute care hospitals. Some examples of underlying chronic conditions include diabetes, chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder and pneumonia.

“Hospitals account for the greatest share of health spending in Canada, so it is important to understand how the money is spent,” says Jean-Marie Berthelot, CIHI Vice-President of Programs. “Better knowledge of the cost of medical conditions is useful for the planning of health services to meet the needs of the population.” [2]

2005 Canadian Public Sector Health Expenditure, By Use of Funds [3]

More than nine million Canadians, or one-third of Canadians, have one or more chronic health conditions. [4]

[1] The Cost of Acute Care Hospital Stays by Medical Condition in Canada, 2004–2005 - http://secure.cihi.ca/cihiweb/products/nhex_acutecare07_e.pdf
[2] http://secure.cihi.ca/cihiweb/dispPage.jsp?cw_page=media_18mar2008_e
[3] CIHI - http://secure.cihi.ca/cihiweb/en/media_07dec2005_tabc31_e.html
[4] http://www.healthcouncilcanada.ca/docs/rpts/2007/outcomes2/Outcomes2FINAL.pdf