Cost improvements through the establishment of prudent infection control practices in a Brazilian general hospital, 1986-1989.
OBJECTIVE
To review procedures currently practiced in a Brazilian general hospital and to eliminate ineffective and inefficient practices. To measure the resulting cost improvements based on rigid hospital financing control.


METHODS
Implementation of surveillance and control programs and prevalence surveys to detect ineffective and inefficient practices.


METHODS
The study institution is a 130-bed general care facility affiliated with the Brazilian federal government. There were approximately 4,600 admissions per year during the study period (1986-1989).


RESULTS
Instituting infection control measures and eliminating ineffective practices resulted in the following: an overall decrease in wound infection rates from 24.4% in 1987 to 3.45% in 1989; a 71% reduction in the global incidence of infection in the intensive care unit; a 74% reduction in the surgical prophylactic use of antibiotics; and a total savings of approximately $2 million (US dollars).


CONCLUSIONS
During the period from 1986 to 1989, the infection control committee was able to decrease the overall wound infection rate from 24.4% in 1987 to 3.45% in 1989. This eliminated special health problems and improved patient care and cost-effectiveness for our hospital.
Cavalcante
M D
MD
Hospital das Forcas Armadas, Brazil.
Braga
O B
OB
Teofilo
C H
CH
Oliveira
E N
EN
Alves
A
A
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000191:economics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000985:Antisepsis; D001938:Brazil; D003363:Cost Control; D003422:Critical Care; D003428:Cross Infection / Q000191:economics* / Q000517:prevention & control; D004202:Disinfectants / Q000191:economics; D004363:Drug Utilization; D006744:Hospital Bed Capacity, 100 to 299; D006769:Hospitals, General / Q000191:economics; D006801:Humans; D017053:Infection Control / Q000191:economics* / Q000379:methods; D015397:Program Evaluation; D013530:Surgical Wound Infection / Q000517:prevention & control; D013997:Time Factors; D014546:Urinary Catheterization / Q000379:methods; D014552:Urinary Tract Infections / Q000517:prevention & control
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D004202:Disinfectants