Hospital costs of protective isolation procedures in heart transplant recipients.
BACKGROUND
This study details the hospital costs of strict reverse isolation procedures in heart transplant recipients.


METHODS
In a prospective, descriptive design, a research protocol was developed, identifying all of the activities related to strict reverse isolation procedures in heart transplant recipients. For each separate activity, materials used and workload were registered, which allowed the calculation of the material and labor costs for each of the isolation procedures.


RESULTS
The cost calculations show that the first day in isolation costs about $160 (for isolation procedures only) and about $65 for each consecutive isolation day. With a mean post-intensive care unit length of stay of 22 days, the mean cost of isolation procedures for heart transplant recipients amounts to $1535. Finally, a modified isolation protocol was developed, incorporating only those procedures with proven effectiveness. It was calculated that a switch to such a modified protocol would allow a savings of over 50% of the hospital resources devoted to isolation measures.


CONCLUSIONS
Isolation procedures use a significant portion of hospital resources. Modifying isolation protocols in heart transplant recipients can be a source of considerable savings in a transplant program.
De Geest
S
S
Leuven Heart Transplant Program, University Hospital Gasthuisberg, Belgium.
Kesteloot
K
K
Degryse
I
I
Vanhaecke
J
J
D001530:Belgium; D017046:Cost Savings; D016027:Heart Transplantation / Q000191:economics*; D017721:Hospital Costs; D006801:Humans; D007902:Length of Stay / Q000191:economics; D010356:Patient Isolation / Q000191:economics* / Q000379:methods*; D011446:Prospective Studies