Excess costs of hospital care associated with neonatal candidemia.
BACKGROUND
Nosocomial bloodstream infections are associated with increased hospital costs in adult and pediatric patients. Candida is an increasingly important nosocomial pathogen within intensive care nurseries. The purpose of this study was to determine the attributable cost of candidemia in neonates.


METHODS
This case-control study included all neonates with candidemia receiving care in hospitals in Connecticut and in Baltimore County and the city of Baltimore, MD. We identified 47 cases and 130 control patients. Multivariable linear regression was used to control for state, birth weight and mortality to determine the effect of candidemia on length of stay, cost per day and total hospital costs.


RESULTS
Candidemia was associated with a $28,000 increase in total hospital costs in multivariable analysis. This increase in total cost was the result of both an increase in costs per day and length of hospital stay. Other cost-increasing variables included in the analysis were: state of origin (Connecticut), survival and decreasing birth weight.


CONCLUSIONS
This represents the first study of the adjusted costs of candidemia in neonates. In addition to high mortality, candidemia was associated with increased hospital costs. This cost analysis could be helpful in determining the financial benefits of preventing candidemia in high risk neonates.
Smith
P Brian
PB
Department of Pediatrics, 3179 Duke University Medical Center, Durham NC, 27710, USA. smith466@mc.duke.edu
Morgan
Juliette
J
Benjamin
J Daniel K
JD
Fridkin
Scott K
SK
Sanza
Laurie Thomson
LT
Harrison
Lee H
LH
Sofair
Andre N
AN
Huie-White
Sharon
S
Benjamin
Daniel K
DK
D015142:Baltimore / Q000453:epidemiology; D002177:Candidiasis / Q000191:economics* / Q000453:epidemiology; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003237:Connecticut / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D016469:Fungemia / Q000191:economics / Q000453:epidemiology; D017048:Health Care Costs; D006761:Hospitals; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007232:Infant, Newborn, Diseases / Q000191:economics* / Q000453:epidemiology; D007902:Length of Stay; D008297:Male