Direct costs associated with a nosocomial outbreak of adenoviral conjunctivitis infection in a long-term care institution.
BACKGROUND
In October 2000, 41 people were infected during an outbreak of adenoviral keratoconjunctivitis. Such nosocomial outbreaks are frequently reported in long-term care institutions, even though simple measures to prevent or limit such occurrences are well documented. This study describes the significant direct costs incurred as a result of this nosocomial outbreak that involved patients and staff.


METHODS
The costs measured in this study were grouped into the following 4 categories: medical, investigative, preventive, and lost productivity. Information about costs incurred by the hospital was gathered from a number of sources.


RESULTS
The outbreak cost the hospital US $29,527 ($1085 for medical costs, $8210 for investigative costs, $3048 for preventive measures, and $17,184 for lost productivity).


CONCLUSIONS
This study demonstrates the substantial expense incurred by 1 hospital as a result of an outbreak of a preventable disease. The measures necessary to prevent such a costly outbreak are simple and, therefore, cost-effective.
Piednoir
Emmanuel
E
Laboratoire de bactériologie-virologie-hygiène, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire, Reims cedex, France.
Bureau-Chalot
Florence
F
Merle
Corinne
C
Gotzamanis
Athanaze
A
Wuibout
Jocelyne
J
Bajolet
Odile
O
D000258:Adenovirus Infections, Human / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000191:economics* / Q000517:prevention & control; D000260:Adenoviruses, Human; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000191:economics; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D003428:Cross Infection / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000191:economics* / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000821:virology; D004196:Disease Outbreaks / Q000191:economics*; D005260:Female; D017048:Health Care Costs; D006801:Humans; D017053:Infection Control / Q000191:economics*; D007637:Keratoconjunctivitis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000191:economics* / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000821:virology; D008297:Male; D012866:Skilled Nursing Facilities / Q000191:economics
D000998:Antiviral Agents