The cost of hemodialysis in a large hemodialysis center.

To assess the cost of hemodialysis (HD) delivered at our center according to the treatment protocols based on the current Kidney Disease Outcome Quality Initiative (K/DOQI) guidelines, we analyzed our cost data during the period from 1st of January 2007 to 30th of June 2010. The methods were used to determine both direct costs (related to dialysis treatment such as dialysis disposables, dialysis related drugs, medical personnel, out-patient medications, laboratory and other ancillary services) and overhead costs (building, maintenance and engineering costs, housekeeping, and administrative personnel). During the study period, an average of 2,500 HD sessions per month were performed for 200 patients. The mean total cost per HD session was calculated as 297 US dollars (USD) [1,114 Saudi Riyals (SR)], and the mean total cost of dialysis per patient per year was 46,332 USD (173,784 SR). Direct costs contributed to 81.15% of the total cost from which the personnel cost represented 41.11% and dialysis disposables represented 13.64%, while medications (outpatient and intravenous dialysis related medications including albumin, erythropoiesis stimulating agents, iron and vitamin D₃) accounted for 12.47% of the total cost. Our total cost level is well below the average cost in the industrialized countries.