Intensive care beds in the canton of Zurich are still over 90% occupied. Covid 19 patients are a major burden because they require longer-than-average ICU stays and medically demanding treatment. Cost. These additional costs are now being offset.
Uncovered costs, often triggered by excessively low tariffs, are a major challenge for hospitals in general. They exert excessive pressure, especially on staff and the training of professionals. The situation is currently even more dramatic due to the high load of Covid 19 patients. The treatment of covid-19 sufferers in intensive care units is very complex and the length of stay is longer than for other diseases. That is why the costs of the hospitals are not covered by the tariffs. At the request of Health Director Natalie Rickli, the Zurich government council has decided to compensate Zurich hospitals for Covid-19-specific prepaid services and the shortfall in rates for Covid-19 patients.
Christian Schär, President of the VZK, says: “The VZK takes note of this positive signal with great satisfaction and thanks the Zurich government for the recognition of the tireless efforts by the hospitals to cope with the Covid 19 pandemic. The prolonged Covid 19 burden is a major challenge for hospitals, especially for staff. Increasing Covid 19 vaccination coverage is the light at the end of the tunnel. The Zurich hospitals once again call on the Zurich population to urgently get vaccinated. This is the only way to really reach the mentioned end of the tunnel.”
Source: “Physician tariff: Decision of the Federal Council is unQuelle: “Covid-19 tariff shortfall is compensated by the Zurich government council”, 16.09.2021, Association of Zurich Hospitals.
InFo NEUROLOGY & PSYCHIATRY 2021; 19(5): 44 (published 10/21-21, ahead of print).
