Economic burden of antibiotic treatment of healthcare-associated infections at a tertiary care hospital ICU in Goa, India.
Antibiotics to treat healthcare-associated infections (HCAIs) contribute to a substantial proportion of drug expenditure in intensive care units (ICUs). Our study aimed to determine the common HCAIs in our hospital ICU, to assess the antibiotics prescribed and the mean antibiotic cost per HCAI. All adult patients, admitted to the ICU over a 1-year period, were included in the study. HCAIs were determined according to CDC definition. The incidence of HCAIs in the ICU was 16%. Ventilator associated pneumonia (50%) was the most common HCAI, followed by urinary tract infection (35.6%). The total cost of antibiotic treatment for HCAIs in ICU over a 1-year period was approximately Rs. 2 million (US$32,000); the mean antibiotic cost per HCAI was calculated as Rs. 17,000 (US$255). HCAIs in the ICU thus put a significant economic burden on the patient and the healthcare network and should be prevented by implementing recommended infection control guidelines.
1 Assistant Professor, Department of Pharmacology, DMWIMS Medical College, Wayanad, Kerala, India.
Devika D
DD
Misal
2 Associate Professor, Department of Microbiology, DMWIMS Medical College, Wayanad, Kerala, India.
Saleel V
SV
Maulingkar
3 Professor, Department of Pharmacology, Goa Medical College, Goa, India.
Sushma
S
Bhonsle
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000191:economics* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000191:economics* / Q000382:microbiology; D017281:Cost of Illness; D003428:Cross Infection / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000191:economics* / Q000382:microbiology; D016527:Drug Costs; D004363:Drug Utilization; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007194:India / Q000453:epidemiology; D017053:Infection Control / Q000191:economics*; D007362:Intensive Care Units / Q000191:economics; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D062606:Tertiary Care Centers / Q000191:economics; D055815:Young Adult
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents
Healthcare-associated infections (HCAIs); antibiotics; economic cost; hospital infections; nosocomial infections