title: Cost-efficiency of a long-acting cephalosporin agent.
abstract: In a prospective longitudinal study of patients in a general surgical ward, the relative cost-efficiencies of a long-acting third generation cephalosporin (ceftriaxone--mean plasma elimination t 1/2 390 min) and a short-acting second generation cephalosporin (cephamandole: mean plasma elimination t 1/2 32 min) were determined. The total cost of therapy for 24 h was +32.88 for cephamandole and +22.78 for ceftriaxone, that is, a reduction of 31%. Considerable cost containment can be achieved by using third generation cephalosporin agents that only require the administration of one intravenous injection per day.
authors.affiliation: University Department of Surgery, Royal Perth Hospital, Western Australia.
authors.forename: J C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Hall
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Mander
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Christiansen
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Reid
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Cooney
authors.forename: S M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Gibb
mesh_terms: D000005:Abdomen; D002435:Cefamandole / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000097:blood / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002443:Ceftriaxone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000097:blood / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D006801:Humans; D007239:Infections / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000191:economics; D007275:Injections, Intravenous / Q000191:economics; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D002435:Cefamandole; D002443:Ceftriaxone