Hospital acquired rota virus infection: the economics of prevention.
Nosocomial rota virus infection results in costs to patients (for example, delayed procedures) and to hospitals (for example, additional bed-days, and ward closures if an epidemic occurs). This paper analyses the economic efficiency of using a preventive measure--a high antibody milk supplement--in a hospital for children. The cost of implementing this program is compared with the benefits of avoiding nosocomial rota virus infection. The results of the study suggest that, taking a range of realistic values for the most significant variables, the use of the supplement would be cost-effective.
O'Brien
K
K
University of South Australia.
Donato
R
R
D000818:Animals; D002648:Child; D003428:Cross Infection / Q000191:economics / Q000517:prevention & control; D017721:Hospital Costs; D006776:Hospitals, Pediatric / Q000191:economics* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D017053:Infection Control / Q000191:economics*; D007902:Length of Stay / Q000191:economics*; D008892:Milk / Q000276:immunology; D011292:Premedication; D012400:Rotavirus Infections / Q000191:economics / Q000517:prevention & control*; D013021:South Australia