Análise do Custo Médio de Equipamentos Médico Hospitalares para Implantação de Leitos de UTI no Brasil com Base em Dados Públicos

Abstract

The regional inequality and deficit of Intensive Care Units (ICUs) in the Brazilian Unified Health System (SUS) pose a challenge to public health, with the high implementation cost being one of the main obstacles. This study aimed to analyze the national average cost for implementing an ICU bed in the public sector, focusing on the main medical-hospital equipment. A descriptive and quantitative research was conducted, using data from the Federal Government's Price Panel and ComprasNet for documentary validation, covering the period from 2024 to 2025. The analysis considered five essential devices: a multiparameter monitor, mechanical ventilator, hospital bed, defibrillator/cardioverter, and portable ultrasound. For shared-use items (defibrillator and ultrasound), a cost allocation of 1/5 per bed was applied. As a result, the estimated average equipment cost to implement an ICU bed was BRL 144,502.22 (± BRL 47,917.67). The analysis revealed significant price heterogeneity, stemming from factors such as technical configurations, brands, purchase volume, and procurement strategies across government spheres and regions. It is concluded that the calculated value provides an objective baseline for planning, expansion, and technological replacement of ICU beds, based on a reproducible and updatable methodology that can support decision-making by public managers.