title: Healthcare costs associated with hemodialysis catheter-related infections: a single-center experience.
abstract: In patients undergoing hemodialysis, catheter-related bacteremia results in expensive hospitalizations. In our study, the mean cost was $23,451 per hospitalization. When itemized, housing ("bed-related") costs accounted for 66% of the total; laboratory costs accounted for 4%, radiologic costs accounted for 9%, and procedure-related costs accounted for 21%. Hypoalbuminemia and bacteremia due to methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) are associated with higher healthcare costs; bacteremia due to MRSA is also associated with poor survival rates.
authors.affiliation: Renal Section, Michael E. DeBakey Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030, USA. ramanath@bcm.edu
authors.forename: Venkataraman
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Ramanathan
authors.forename: Edwin J
authors.initials: EJ
authors.lastname: Chiu
authors.forename: Jim T
authors.initials: JT
authors.lastname: Thomas
authors.forename: Ahmad
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Khan
authors.forename: George M
authors.initials: GM
authors.lastname: Dolson
authors.forename: Rabih O
authors.initials: RO
authors.lastname: Darouiche
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D016470:Bacteremia / Q000191:economics* / Q000382:microbiology / Q000401:mortality; D002404:Catheterization / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000191:economics / Q000379:methods; D024901:Drug Resistance, Multiple, Bacterial; D004866:Equipment Contamination / Q000191:economics*; D004864:Equipment and Supplies / Q000191:economics / Q000382:microbiology; D006090:Gram-Negative Bacteria / Q000187:drug effects / Q000302:isolation & purification; D006094:Gram-Positive Bacteria / Q000187:drug effects / Q000302:isolation & purification; D017048:Health Care Costs; D006787:Hospitals, Veterans; D006801:Humans; D007902:Length of Stay; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D006435:Renal Dialysis / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000191:economics; D013211:Staphylococcus aureus / Q000187:drug effects / Q000302:isolation & purification; D013212:Staphylococcus epidermidis / Q000187:drug effects / Q000302:isolation & purification; D013781:Texas