Paediatric intensive therapy services contracted by the National Health Fund in 2012

Background
Departments of paediatric anaesthesiology and intensive therapy are relevant elements of the healthcare system in Poland. The aim of the present study was to analyse the level of funding of departments of paediatric anaesthesiology and intensive therapy provided by regional branches of the National Health Fund (NHF) in 2012.

Methods
The survey of websites of regional branches of NHF provided data about therapeutic entities with departments of paediatric anaesthesiology and intensive therapy, whose services were contracted by NHF in 2012. The contract value for 2012, number of contracted points and price of a point were defined for each department. Moreover, using the Register of Therapeutic Entities, the number of intensive therapy beds in the departments of paediatric anaesthesiology and intensive therapy in these entities was determined.

Results
The highest expenditure for intensive therapy of children and teenagers under 17 years of age per one citizen was found in the Silesian, Opole and Lodz provinces; the lowest expenditure was observed in the Lubusz (no contracted departments), Swietokrzyskie and Podkarpacie provinces.

Conclusion
The level of funding of departments of paediatric anaesthesiology and intensive therapy provided by NHF appears to be sufficient; however, the staff and equipment potential of many such departments is not fully exploited.