Cost of Measles Containment in an Ambulatory Pediatric Clinic. Issue 6 (June 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Wendorf, Kristen A.; Kay, Meagan; Ortega-Sanchez, Ismael R.; Munn, Meaghan; Duchin, Jeffrey
• Is Part Of: Pediatric infectious disease journal. Volume 34:Issue 6(2015)
• Publication Date: 2015-06
• Subjects: Communicable diseases in children -- Periodicals; Infection in children -- Periodicals; 618.929
• DOI: 10.1097/INF.0000000000000682
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0891-3668

Abstract

<abstract> <title> <x xml:space="preserve">Abstract</x> </title> <sec> <title>Background:</title> <p>Measles is highly infectious; prompt containment of illnesses is necessary to prevent spread. In August 2013, a 13-year-old male with measles exposed patients and employees in a pediatric clinic. We studied containment costs to identify avoidable costs.</p> </sec> <sec> <title>Methods:</title> <p>Measles exposure was defined as in-person contact with or presence in the same room <2 hours after the measles patient. Costs were calculated retrospectively using published costs of measles–mumps–rubella vaccine, cost-to-charge ratios for inpatient care in urban Washington State and local emergency department charges for post-exposure immunoglobulin (IG). Personnel costs were calculated by multiplying hourly wages by time for employees who worked on the response; overhead was excluded.</p> </sec> <sec> <title>Results:</title> <p>Fifty-two patients, 60 caretakers and 10 employees were exposed. Personnel time cost $1961. Exposed patients had a mean age of 9.6 years (range: 2 months–19 years); 34 (65%) were fully vaccinated, and 18 (35%) were <12 months of age and too young to be vaccinated. Five patients (10%) were <6 months of age and required IG; 13 infants (25%) 6–11 months of age required measles–mumps–rubella vaccination. Caretakers followed up with their physicians for evidence of immunity. One employee had documented evidence of immunity; 9 required measles antibody testing or vaccination. Management of exposed persons cost $3694; overall clinic costs were $5655.</p> </sec> <sec> <title>Conclusion:</title> <p>Responding to 1 measles case cost the pediatric clinic more than $5000, despite isolating the patient promptly after examination. Documentation of employee immunity, vaccination of eligible patients and strict infection control precautions might reduce ambulatory costs associated with measles containment.</p> </sec> </abstract>