The aim of the present paper is the economic evaluation of haemodialysis in a
dialysis unit of a private clinic. Specifically, a comparative cost analysis between
bicarbonate dialysis and haemodiafiltration is performed. One hundred and twenty (120)
patients with end - stage kidney disease, undergoing haemodialysis participated in the
study. Demographic, clinical and financial characteristics were taken from the patients’
medical records. Data were collected from the financial management of the clinic regarding
staff salaries, capital and technological equipment, depreciation, expenditure on fixed assets
and other consumables. Values of 2007 were used and haemodialysis session was
considered as the unit of cost. The total cost of haemodiafiltration predominates by about
30% of bicarbonate dialysis. This significant increase in cost is due to the additional health
equipment required in this method (bags and lines of haemodiafiltration). Haemodialysis is
a highly expensive method of treating patients with chronic kidney disease, as based mainly
on the use of innovative technologies. Similar analyses of economic evaluation are not
considered fully documented, when not taking into account the clinical superiority and not
attributing it in terms of cost - effectiveness.
Keywords: Economic evaluation, cost analysis, chronic kidney disease,
haemodialysis, bicarbonate dialysis, haemodiafiltration.
