title: Economic results of a palivizumab seasonal prophylaxis using a cohorting software and vial sharing.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Respiratory syncytial virus is the most important pathogen in lower respiratory tract infection in infants and young children. In high-risk populations it may develop severe, sometimes fatal, lower respiratory tract infections. A proportion of these infants require admission to intensive care units due to the severity of the condition and the level of care needed. Furthermore, we must consider the possible increased risk of asthma following RSV infection in infancy.
  
  
  METHODS
  The aim of this work is to show how we strictly coordinated, during the 2008-2009 RSV season, the delivery of prophylaxis while minimising drug cost through vial sharing and cohorting infants with a software performed through Visual Basic programming system.
  
  
  RESULTS
  By using this method we have been able to obtain a saving of the 29.2% compared to the theoretical amount. No infant requested hospitalisation for a RSV infection.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Such a model ensures all patients to receive appropriate immunization and thus positively influencing the cost-benefit of palivizumab prophylaxis. We hope that our model of care delivery will be of use to other hospitals.
authors.affiliation: UOC Pediatria e UTIN, PO Barone I. Romeo, Patti, Messina, Italy.
authors.forename: Elio
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Coletta
authors.forename: Salvatore
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Coppolino
authors.forename: Febronia
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Federico
authors.forename: Francesco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Fulia
mesh_terms: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000191:economics*; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000191:economics*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D016527:Drug Costs; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007273:Injections, Intramuscular; D007558:Italy / Q000453:epidemiology; D000069455:Palivizumab; D018357:Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infections / Q000191:economics / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012984:Software; D015996:Survival Rate / Q000639:trends; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D000998:Antiviral Agents; D000069455:Palivizumab