Cost for MHA stays in hospitals in Canada 2017-2018, by hospital type

Costs by type of hospital were estimated based on the costs per day in the psychiatric units of general hospitals and psychiatric hospitals multiplied by the average length of stays in general hospitals and psychiatric hospitals, respectively. The average length of stay for general hospitals includes all MHA patients treated inside and outside of psychiatric units; dementia cases are excluded.

Estimated average costs by type of hospital were calculated using the Canadian MIS Database and Hospital Mental Health Database. The cost estimates include the hospital cost of labour, nursing and allied health professionals, pharmacy (drugs), supplies, medical imaging, laboratory and indirect (overhead). Physician compensation was excluded from the analysis and spending on MHA could be underestimated. Data is not available for Quebec and Nunavut.