Anaphylaxis Hospitalizations in Florida: How Much Does It Cost?

A retrospective study included 464 patients who were hospitalized in Florida for anaphylaxis in 2001. Hospital mortality rate was 0.86%. Median LOS was 1 day. Median total charges were about $ 5,000. Asthmatics had an increased risk of receiving intubation and mechanical ventilation.

In a study if anaphylaxis cost in France, the estimated mean total cost was 1895 Euro ($ 2,790) for food- and drug-related anaphylaxis (5610 Euro for the most severe), and 4053 Euro (5,969) for Hymenoptera anaphylaxis.

A recent study in the Annals of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology reported on development of the acronym SAFE, a mnemonic to remind physicians of the 4 basic action steps for anaphylaxis treatment: (1) Seek support, (2) Allergen identification and avoidance, (3) Follow-up for specialty care, and (4) Epinephrine for emergencies.

Drugs used for management of anaphylaxis are remembered by the mnemonic EASI:

Epinephrine IM
Antihistamines PO, IM
Steroids PO, IM, IV
Inhaled b2-agonists, if wheezing

References:
Hospitalizations for Anaphylaxis in Florida: Epidemiologic Analysis of a Population-Based Dataset. Int Arch Allergy Immunol. 2007 May 25;144(2):128-136
The economic costs of severe anaphylaxis in France: an inquiry carried out by the Allergy Vigilance Network. J. Flabbee, N. Petit, N. Jay, L. Guénard, F. Codreanu, R. Mazeyrat, G. Kanny, D. A. Moneret-Vautrin (2008). Allergy 63 (3), 360–365.
Image source: Wikipedia, GNU Free Documentation License.

Updated: 02/06/2008