Length of hospital stay and cost of Staphylococcus and Streptococcus infections among hospitalized patients.
BACKGROUND
Staphylococcus (Staph) and Streptococcus (Strep) infections are important causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide. The economic burden of these infections is also significant, especially among hospitalized patients.


OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to estimate length of hospital stay (LOS) and total payments for hospital admissions for patients with Staph or Strep infection as a first (primary) or second or higher (comorbid) diagnosis.


METHODS
From the 1994-1997 MarketScan inpatient database, admissions with Staph (n = 2,042) or Strep (n = 1,401) infection (905 as primary and 2,538 as comorbid diagnosis) and 89,899 control admissions without a diagnosis of gram-positive infection were identified. Crude and category-specific mean LOS and anti-log mean total payments were compared between admissions with Staph or Strep infection and admissions without a diagnosis of any gram-positive infection within major diagnostic categories and principal surgical procedures (SPs).


RESULTS
For admissions with Staph or Strep infection as first (primary) diagnosis (n = 905), the mean LOS was 4.68 days (95% CI, 4.44-4.93) and 4.78 days (95% CI, 4.35-5.26), respectively. The mean total payments were $6,445 (95% CI, $6,045-$6,870) and $6,821 (95% CI, $6,149-$7,566), respectively. In contrast, the average LOS and total payment for the control group were 2.99 days (95% CI, 2.98-3.01) and $6,325 (95% CI, $6,284-$6,365). For admissions with infection as the comorbid diagnosis (n = 2,538), mean LOS and total payment were 4 days longer and $6,000 higher for Staph infections and 1.2 days longer and $1,200 higher for Strep infections than the control group. Within each SP, LOS and total payments were substantially higher for patients with Staph and Strep infections.


CONCLUSIONS
The results of this study indicate that infections with the pathogens Staph and Strep substantially increase LOS and total payments among hospitalized patients.
Zhao
Sean Z
SZ
Pharmacia Corporation, Peapack, New Jersey 07977, USA. sean.z.zhao@am.pnu.com
Dodge
William E
WE
Spalding
William
W
Barr
Charles E
CE
Li
Jim Z
JZ
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002648:Child; D015897:Comorbidity; D003953:Diagnosis-Related Groups / Q000191:economics; D005260:Female; D006760:Hospitalization / Q000191:economics*; D006801:Humans; D007350:Insurance, Hospitalization / Q000191:economics; D007902:Length of Stay / Q000191:economics*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013203:Staphylococcal Infections / Q000191:economics*; D013290:Streptococcal Infections / Q000191:economics*