An Analysis of Services Utilization and Medical Care Charge in Pesticide Poisoned Patients Using the National Health Security Office Database

Jetsadapong Uanpromma; Punyanuch   Suwangbutra; Nilawan Upakdee

doi:10.33165/rmj.2020.43.2.240957

Authors

Jetsadapong Uanpromma Department of Pharmacy Practice, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Naresuan University, Phitsanulok, Thailand
Punyanuch Suwangbutra Department of Pharmacy Practice, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Naresuan University, Phitsanulok, Thailand
Nilawan Upakdee Department of Pharmacy Practice, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Naresuan University, Phitsanulok, Thailand / Centre for Health Equity Monitoring Foundation, Phitsanulok, Thailand

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.33165/rmj.2020.43.2.240957

Keywords:

Pesticide, Charge of care, Services utilization

Abstract

Background: As the results of the high pesticides use, pesticide poisoning is an important health problem in Thailand. Most studies are about pesticide use behavior and health impact, but lack of studies that indicate the impact economically.

Objective: To analyze the services and medical care charge of patient diagnosed with pesticide poisoning at the hospitals.

Methods: This study was a cross-sectional descriptive study using data from the National Health Security Office both outpatients and inpatients. Data was collected during the year 2016 - 2018 and selected according to ICD-10 diagnosis code T60.0-T60.9 (Toxic effect of pesticides), but excluding code X68 (Intentional self-poisoning by and exposure to pesticides). Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics.

Results: During the year 2016 - 2018, the majority was inpatient (97.0%), and diagnose with toxic effect of herbicide and fungicides (47.9%). The average cost per person per year of inpatient care was ฿7740, ฿11 048 and ฿9641, by year respectively. While the average cost per person per year of outpatient care was ฿1651, ฿1482, and ฿1668, respectively. The common types of poisoning were herbicide and fungicides, followed by organophosphate and carbamate poisoning.

Conclusions: The majority of patients affected by pesticides are inpatients who were poisoned by herbicide and fungicides with higher medical cost than outpatients. However, the causes of the highest average cost of treatment and the highest number of visits are organophosphate and carbamate insecticides.

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