This article is part of the supplement: Fluid management: proceedings of an expert panel on critical care
Fluid management: the pharmacoeconomic dimension
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Correspondence: Jean-Louis Vincent jlvincen@ulb.ac.be
Université Libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium
Critical Care 2000, 4(Suppl 2):S33-S35 doi:10.1186/cc969
Chantilly, France. 15 October 1999
Published: 13 October 2000Abstract
Cost is a key concern in fluid management. Relatively few data are available that address the comparative total costs of care between different fluid management regimens in particular clinical indications. Relevant costs of fluid-associated morbidity and mortality, including those incurred after intensive care unit or hospital discharge, also need to be considered in evaluating the cost-benefit ratios of administered fluids. Rigorously designed pharmacoeconomic studies are needed to delineate the costs and benefits of various approaches to fluid management.