Journal article

Publication year: 2003

Pages: 673-678

Journal: Infection Control and Hospital Epidemiology

Volume number: 24

Issue number: 9

ISSN: 0899-823X

eISSN: 1559-6834

DOI Link: https://doi.org/10.1086/502274

Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Abstract: 

OBJECTIVE: To determine the added costs of hygienic measures (barrier precautions, isolation, and decontamination) required for MRSA carriers in German hospitals and possible strategies for cost reduction.

DESIGN: On a septic surgical ward caring for 35% of all MRSA cases in a university hospital (1,182 beds), additional costs for personnel time and materials were calculated and medical charts of all MRSA cases admitted to the ward during 1 year were analyzed retrospectively. Twelve of the ward's 13 beds were located in rooms with at least 2 beds.

PATIENTS: Four hundred ninety-eight MRSA carrier hospital-days (of 20 MRSA cases) could be assessed. All patients (80% men, 50% older than 74.5 years) had broken skin.

RESULTS: In 95% of the cases, microbiological findings suggested transmission of MRSA during the current or a previous stay on this ward. The study found total avoidable costs of approximately 142,794.01 euros in 1 year, averaging 371.95 euros for one MRSA patient hospital-day and 9,261.56 euros per MRSA case. The most expensive single measure was blocked beds in multibed rooms (305.75 euros/day), which accounted for 82% of the extra costs. Costs most likely were underestimated.

CONCLUSIONS: Daily additional case costs amounted to 96% of social security payments. Blocked beds in multibed rooms accounted for more than 80% of these excess costs. Isolation has been scientifically validated and is required by law in Germany. Building an adequate number of single-bed rooms should help prevent spread and would greatly lower the added costs of infection.

Harvard Citation style: Herr, C., Heckrodt, T., Hofmann, F., Schnettler, R. and Eikmann, T. (2003) Additional costs for preventing the spread of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and a strategy for reducing these costs on a surgical ward, Infection Control and Hospital Epidemiology, 24(9), pp. 673-678. https://doi.org/10.1086/502274

APA Citation style: Herr, C., Heckrodt, T., Hofmann, F., Schnettler, R., & Eikmann, T. (2003). Additional costs for preventing the spread of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and a strategy for reducing these costs on a surgical ward. Infection Control and Hospital Epidemiology. 24(9), 673-678. https://doi.org/10.1086/502274