Positive impact of infection prevention on the management of nosocomial outbreaks at an academic hospital. (October 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Dik, Jan-Willem H; Sinha, Bhanu; Lokate, Mariëtte; Lo-Ten-Foe, Jerome R; Dinkelacker, Ariane G; Postma, Maarten J; Friedrich, Alexander W
• Is Part Of: Future microbiology. Volume 11:Number 10(2016:Oct.)
• Page Start: 1249
• Page End: 1259
• Publication Date: 2016-10
• Subjects: cost–benefit analysis -- health economics -- infection prevention -- nosocomial outbreaks; Microbiology -- Research -- Periodicals; 616.9041
• DOI: 10.2217/fmb-2016-0030
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1746-0913

Abstract

Aim: Infection prevention (IP) measures are vital to prevent (nosocomial) outbreaks. Financial evaluations of these are scarce. An incremental cost analysis for an academic IP unit was performed.Material & methods: On a yearly basis, we evaluated: IP measures; costs thereof; numbers of patients at risk for causing nosocomial outbreaks; predicted outbreak patients; and actual outbreak patients.Results: IP costs rose on average yearly with €150, 000; however, more IP actions were undertaken. Numbers of patients colonized with high-risk microorganisms increased. The trend of actual outbreak patients remained stable. Predicted prevented outbreak patients saved costs, leading to a positive return on investment of 1.94.Conclusion: This study shows that investments in IP can prevent outbreak cases, thereby saving enough money to earn back these investments.