title: Cost of isolation: daily cost of isolation determined and cost avoidance demonstrated from the overuse of personal protective equipment in an acute care facility.
abstract: We determined the prevalence and associated cost of isolation precautions. Current census and historic microbiology cultures were assessed for isolation appropriateness following national guidelines. Based on patient assessment and culture data, isolation was discontinued resulting in 4,087 days of isolation and over $141,000 dollars avoided from excess supplies and time.
authors.affiliation: Infection Prevention and Control Department, Spectrum Health Hospitals, Grand Rapids, MI. Electronic address: kerrie.verlee@spectrumhealth.org.
authors.forename: Kerrie
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Verlee
authors.affiliation: Infection Prevention and Control Department, Spectrum Health Hospitals, Grand Rapids, MI.
authors.forename: Dorine
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Berriel-Cass
authors.affiliation: Infection Prevention and Control Department, Spectrum Health Hospitals, Grand Rapids, MI.
authors.forename: Kristen
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Buck
authors.affiliation: Infection Prevention and Control Department, Spectrum Health Hospitals, Grand Rapids, MI.
authors.forename: Chau
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Nguyen
mesh_terms: D004632:Emergency Medical Services / Q000379:methods*; D017048:Health Care Costs; D006801:Humans; D010356:Patient Isolation / Q000191:economics* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011482:Protective Devices / Q000191:economics* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*
keywords: Barrier precautions; Isolation precautions; Multidrug-resistant organisms; Return on investment