Economic Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on Health Care Facilities and Systems: International Perspectives

Kaye, Alan D.; Okeagu, Chikezie N.; Pham, Alex D.; Silva, Rayce A.; Hurley, Joshua J.; Arron, Brett L.; Sarfraz, Noeen; Lee, Hong N.; Ghali, G.E.; Liu, Henry; Urman, Richard D.; Cornett, Elyse M.

International hospitals and healthcare facilities face catastrophic financial challenges related to the COVID-19 pandemic. The American Hospital Association estimates a financial impact of $202.6 billion in lost revenue for America's hospitals and health systems, or an average of $50.7 billion per month. Furthermore, it could cost low- and middle-income countries ∼ US$52 billion (equivalent to US$8.60 per person) each four weeks to provide an effective health-care response to COVID-19. In the setting of the largest daily COVID-19 new cases in the US, this burden will influence patient care, surgeries, and surgical outcomes. From a global economic standpoint, The World Bank projects that global growth is projected to shrink by almost 8% with poorer countries feeling most of the impact, and the United Nations projects that it will cost the global economy around 2 trillion dollars this year. Overall, a lack of preparedness was a major contributor to the struggles experienced by healthcare facilities around the world. Items such as personal protective equipment (PPE) for healthcare workers, hospital equipment, sanitizing supplies, toilet paper, and water were in short supply. These deficiencies were exposed by COVID-19 and have prompted healthcare organizations around the world to invent new essential plans for pandemic preparedness. In this paper we will discuss the economic impact of COVID on US and international hospitals, healthcare facilities, surgery, and surgical outcomes. In the future the US and countries around the world will benefit from preparing a plan of action to use as a guide in the event of a disaster or pandemic.