Cost Analysis of an Intervention to Prevent Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA) Transmission

Introduction

Our objective was to assess the cost implications of a vertical MRSA prevention program that led to a reduction in MRSA bacteremia.

Methods

We performed a matched historical cohort study and cost analysis in a single hospital in Israel for the years 2005-2011. The cost of MRSA bacteremia was calculated as total hospital cost for patients admitted with bacteremia and for patients with hospital-acquired bacteremia, the difference in cost compared to matched controls. The cost of prevention was calculated as the sum of the cost of microbiology tests, single-use equipment used for patients in isolation, and infection control personnel.

Results

An average of 20,000 patients were screened yearly. The cost of prevention was $208,100 per year, with the major contributor being laboratory cost. We calculated that our intervention averted 34 cases of bacteremia yearly: 17 presenting on admission and 17 acquired in the hospital. The average cost of a case admitted with bacteremia was $14,500, and the net cost attributable to nosocomial bacteremia was $9,400. Antibiotics contributed only 0.4% of the total disease management cost. When the annual cost of averted cases of bacteremia and that of prevention were compared, the intervention resulted in annual cost savings of $199,600.

Conclusions

A vertical MRSA prevention program targeted at high-risk patients, which was highly effective in preventing bacteremia, is cost saving. These results suggest that allocating resources to targeted prevention efforts might be beneficial even in a single institution in a high incidence country.     

Self-administration of intravenous antibiotics: an efficient,cost-effective home care program.

The effects of a home care program with 102 courses (2336 patient-days) of intravenous antibiotic therapy were evaluated. Home care nurses changed the intravenous cannula site every 3 days. The initial hospital stay averaged 11.8 days and the duration of home therapy averaged 22.9 days. The diseases treated included osteomyelitis, septic arthritis, endocarditis, cystic fibrosis and pneumonia, staphylococcal bacteremia, blastomycosis, actinomycosis and other soft tissue infections. All classes of commonly used antibiotics, including penicillins, cephalosporins, aminoglycosides and amphotericin B, were administered, alone or in combination. There were no side effects that necessitated discontinuation of home treatment or readmission to hospital. The average cost per patient-day was $58, compared with an estimated $193 for in-hospital therapy; in addition, 2336 hospital bed-days were made available. Most patients were able to resume many or all of their daily activities while receiving intravenous antibiotic therapy.     

Free oxygen radical-induced lipid peroxidation and antioxidant in infants receiving total parenteral nutrition

OBJECTIVE: Increased oxygen-derived free radical activity has been reported during total parenteral nutrition (TPN) in infants particularly linked to the fat infusion. It is possible that partial enteral feeding can ameliorate some of the complications of TPN. By this study we aimed to investigate free radical formation and antioxidant activity in term and preterm infants during TPN and/or enteral feeding. STUDY DESIGN: We had 6 groups of term and preterm infants made up of 10 patients each. Group I had only enteral feeding, Group II enteral plus parenteral feeding, Group III only parenteral feeding. Plasma malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), vitamin E and vitamin C levels were measured in all infants. Blood samples of infants receiving only TPN and TPN plus enteral feeding were measured on the 1st and 5th days, and 3h after the end of lipid infusion. RESULTS: There was no difference between the term and preterm infants in terms of MDA, SOD, vitamin C and E levels taken baseline and after parenteral, and enteral plus parenteral feeding on the 1st and 5th days. When 3 groups of both term and preterm infants were compared with each other none of the parameters showed a statistically significant difference. In addition, we compared baseline and 1st and 5th days of TPN therapy in both term and preterm infants fed only parenterally and enteral plus parenteral feedings. In term infants fed both parenterally and parenteral plus enterally, the MDA levels before TPN were significantly higher than that of the levels of patients on parenteral nutrition on the 5th day. On the 1st and 5th days of TPN therapy, the levels of vitamin C was significantly decreased, in term and preterm infants fed only parenterally, levels of vitamin E was increased, in term and preterm infants fed both parenterally and parenteral plus enterally. Also, when compared to their base line the SOD levels of the term infants detected on the 1st and 5th days were significantly high. CONCLUSION: Free radical production is increased by the administration of TPN and may be linked to its adverse effects. It may be assumed that long-term complications of preterm infants receiving TPN may be reduced by further strengthening the antioxidant capacities of the TPN solutions.     

序贯肠内外营养支持对AECOPD合并呼吸衰竭患者营养指标、胃肠黏膜功能和免疫功能的影响

摘要 目的：观察序贯肠内外营养支持在慢性阻塞性肺疾病急性加重期（AECOPD）合并呼吸衰竭患者中的应用价值。方法：选用随机数字表法将我院2019年1月-2020年12月期间收治的90例AECOPD合并呼吸衰竭患者分为肠内组（n=30）、肠外组（n=30）和序贯组（n=30）。对比三组患者营养指标、胃肠黏膜功能和免疫功能,观察并记录三组抗菌药物使用天数、住院天数和并发症发生率。结果：序贯组的抗菌药物使用天数、住院天数短于肠内组、肠外组（P<0.05）。序贯组营养支持2周后白蛋白（ALB）、前白蛋白（PA）、转铁蛋白（TF）均高于肠内组、肠外组（P<0.05）。序贯组营养支持2周后免疫球蛋白（Ig）A、IgM、IgG均高于肠内组、肠外组（P<0.05）。序贯组营养支持2周后D-乳酸、二胺氧化酶（DAO）均低于肠内组、肠外组（P<0.05）。三组并发症发生率组间对比无明显差异（P>0.05）。结论：序贯肠内外营养支持应用于AECOPD合并呼吸衰竭患者,可促进患者免疫功能提高,营养状况改善,同时还可促进胃肠黏膜功能恢复,缩短抗菌药物使用天数和住院天数。     

The future of new oral antibiotics including the quinolones.

It is estimated that more than 110 million dollars'' worth of oral antibiotics will have been sold in Canada in 1987. In the next few years several new oral antimicrobial agents will reach the market, including beta-lactamase inhibitors, cephalosporins, monobactams, erythromycins and quinolones. Most of these new agents have a broader spectrum of antibacterial activity than the presently available oral antibiotics. A few have a longer half-life and can be administered once a day. The new oral drugs, especially the quinolones and possibly beta-lactams, will now be used to treat infections that in the past could be treated only parenterally. Exacerbations of pulmonary infections due to Pseudomonas aeruginosa in cystic fibrosis can now be successfully treated at home with the new quinolones. Osteomyelitis, arthritis, pneumonia and pyelonephritis will most likely be treated at home in the future. In severe infections patients will be admitted to hospital for short courses of parenteral therapy, followed by oral treatment. If used appropriately the new oral agents may lead to new approaches to the treatment of infectious diseases.     

Obesity and Mortality,Length of Stay and Hospital Cost among Patients with Sepsis: A Nationwide Inpatient Retrospective Cohort Study

ObjectivesThe objective of this study was to examine the association between obesity and all-cause mortality, length of stay and hospital cost among patients with sepsis 20 years of age or older.ResultsAfter weighting, our sample projected to a population size of 1,763,000, providing an approximation for the number of hospital discharges of all sepsis patients 20 years of age or older in the US in 2011. The overall all-cause mortality rate was 14.8%, the median hospital length of stay was 7 days and the median hospital cost was $15,917. After adjustment, the all-cause mortality was lower (adjusted OR = 0.84; 95% CI = 0.81 to 0.88); the average hospital length of stay was longer (adjusted difference = 0.65 day; 95% CI = 0.44 to 0.86) and the hospital cost per stay was higher (adjusted difference = $2,927; 95% CI = $1,606 to $4,247) for obese sepsis patients as compared to non-obese ones.ConclusionWith this large and nationally representative sample of over 1,000 hospitals in the US, we found that obesity was significantly associated with a 16% decrease in the odds of dying among hospitalized sepsis patients; however it was also associated with greater duration and cost of hospitalization.     

ANTIBIOTIC ANAPHYLAXIS

Anaphylactic reactions following the injection of penicillin or other antibiotics have increased greatly during the past several years. These untoward reactions to penicillin were infrequent during the first nine years of penicillin therapy and there can be no doubt that hypersensitivity to these drugs is developing in many people. Therefore promiscuous use of them is to be condemned. It is safer not to use antibiotics parenterally in patients with allergic conditions such as bronchial asthma. The further use of a particular antibiotic should be avoided if the patient has previously shown any hypersensitivity to that drug.A questionnaire was answered by more than 1,000 California physicians who reported that over 300 patients had severe anaphylactic reactions from parenteral penicillin and streptomycin. There were seven deaths.Since the antibiotics should still be used when needed, prevention of anaphylaxis is of fundamental importance. The frequency of these reactions can be greatly reduced by the use of antihistaminic solutions combined with the antibiotics. Treatment of these shock-like reactions demands the prompt administration of epinephrine intramuscularly, antihistaminic solutions intravenously and oxygen.     

术后早期肠外联合肠内营养对老年进展期胃癌患者预后效果分析

目的:探讨术后早期肠外联合肠内营养对老年进展期胃癌临床早期预后的影响。方法:选择106例老年进展期胃癌患者,随机分为观察组56例和对照组50例,术后分别给予肠外联合肠内营养和肠外营养支持,观察2组患者术前术后C反应蛋白、血清清蛋白(ALB)、前白蛋白和血红蛋白(Hb)、肛门排气时间、并发症、住院时间及疲劳指数。结果:观察组在术后CRP水平下降优于对照组(P0.05),观察组肛门排气时间、并发症、住院时间及疲劳指数均优于对照组(P0.05),但术后血清清蛋白(ALB)、前白蛋白和血红蛋白(Hb)比较无明显差异。结论:术后早期肠外联合肠内营养减轻老年进展期胃癌患者术后的应激反应,减少并发症,促进恢复,改善早期预后。     

Prospective pricing and DRGs.

In the Congenital Heart Program at San Diego Children''s Hospital, alterations in medical practice have reduced costs without impairing quality or access. Pediatric cardiac catheterization was done in 483 consecutive elective patients without overnight hospital stay. Hospital readmission was required in one patient for psoas tendinitis. Avoiding overnight hospital stay minimized attendant risks of hospital care, lessened psychosocial trauma and reduced the average hospital bill by $493 (29%). Hospital stay was also reduced for elective surgical correction of congenital heart disease on a case-by-case basis. Review of 151 consecutive cases (1978 through 1982) showed a decrease in both preoperative days in hospital and postoperative days in an intensive care unit. The duration of the postoperative stay was shortened from 6.8 days in 1978-1979 to 4.4 days in 1982 (P <.05). No increase in morbidity and no mortality resulted from the shortened perioperative hospital stay. Financial savings from this process averaged $991 per procedure.Diagnostic tests were reassessed and many precatheterization laboratory tests were eliminated. Without change in new patients seen or surgical volume, the use of cardiac catheterization decreased from 241 procedures in 1981 to 161 in 1982 and the number of operations without catheterization increased (11 to 22, 1981 to 1982). No increase in surgical morbidity or mortality was found comparing those diagnosed only by echocardiography with those who had preoperative cardiac catheterization. The decrease of 80 catheterizations in one year resulted in a savings of $188,800.True cost containment (reducing cost without reducing quality) can be accomplished in congenital heart programs. Similar cost containments in other disciplines may also be achieved.     

不同营养支持方式对进展期胃癌术后病人临床结局比较

摘要目的：研究肠内营养、肠外营养、常规补液对胃癌术后患者临床结局的影响。方法：择我院住院治疗并行外科手术治疗的胃 癌患者183 例,随机分至肠内营养组、肠外营养组、常规补液组,分别行相应的营养支持治疗,比较三组患者术前/ 后1 天及术后 8 天体重、白蛋白、淋巴细胞计数的变化及术后并发症发生情况、营养支持费用、术后住院时间、总费用。结果：常规补液组术后第 8 天体重较术前1 天明显下降;肠内、肠外营养组患者体重下降幅度均明显低于常规补液组;肠内、肠外营养组术后第8 天白蛋白 水平升高显著,且明显高于常规补液组;肠内营养组患者术后第8 天淋巴细胞明显上升,且较常规补液组有明显升高。肠外营养 组、常规补液组患者肝功能损害、血脂升高、血糖升高的发生率均明显高于肠内营养组;肠外营养组患者肝功能损害、血脂升高发 生率明显低于常规补液组;肠内营养组患者切口腹腔感染及肺部感染的发生率均明显低于常规补液组。与常规补液组相比,肠 外、内营养组患者术后住院时间均明显缩短,肠内营养组患者总费用明显偏高;与肠外营养相比,肠内营养组、常规补液组营养支 持费用明显降低,肠内营养组患者总费用显著下降,上述差异均有统计学意义（P＜0.05）。结论：胃癌术后患者行肠内营养可大大 降低术后并发症的发生,并减少患者住院费用,缩短术后住院时间。     

不同营养支持方式对进展期胃癌术后病人临床结局比较

目的：研究肠内营养、肠外营养、常规补液对胃癌术后患者临床结局的影响。方法：择我院住院治疗并行外科手术治疗的胃癌患者183例,随机分至肠内营养组、肠外营养组、常规补液组,分别行相应的营养支持治疗,比较三组患者术前／后1天及术后8天体重、白蛋白、淋巴细胞计数的变化及术后并发症发生情况、营养支持费用、术后住院时间、总费用。结果：常规补液组术后第8天体重较术前1天明显下降;肠内、肠外营养组患者体重下降幅度均明显低于常规补液组;肠内、肠外营养组术后第8天白蛋白水平升高显著,且明显高于常规补液组;肠内营养组患者术后第8天淋巴细胞明显上升,且较常规补液组有明显升高。肠外营养组、常规补液组患者肝功能损害、血脂升高、血糖升高的发生率均明显高于肠内营养组;肠外营养组患者肝功能损害、血脂升高发生率明显低于常规补液组;肠内营养组患者切口腹腔感染及肺部感染的发生率均明显低于常规补液组。与常规补液组相比,肠外、内营养组患者术后住院时间均明显缩短,肠内营养组患者总费用明显偏高;与肠外营养相比,肠内营养组、常规补液组营养支持费用明显降低,肠内营养组患者总费用显著下降,上述差异均有统计学意义（P〈O．05）。结论：胃癌术后患者行肠内营养可大大降低术后并发症的发生,并减少患者住院费用,缩短术后住院时间。     

Antibiotic Use in a Small Community Hospital

Audits of medical records were done for similar one-month periods in 1974 and 1977 in a 125-bed community hospital in Hawaii to determine patterns of antibiotic use. One quarter of all hospital patients in both study periods received antibiotics. In 1977 cephalosporins, ampicillin and aminoglycosides were the most commonly used antibiotics. Half of the antibiotics used by surgical specialty departments in both periods were for prophylactic indications. The cost of antimicrobial prophylaxis per patient was reduced by about 57 percent in 1977 compared with 1974. In the 1977 period, 58 percent of patients received proper prophylactic antibiotic regimens; this was statistically higher than the 15 percent of patients given appropriate prophylactic antibiotics in 1974. Fewer than half of the patients in both study periods treated for infections received correct antibiotic therapy. In contrast, 82 percent of infectious disease consultations were considered appropriate by an independent specialist in infectious disease. However, these consultations were obtained in only 15 percent of the patients who received therapeutic antibiotics. It was concluded that audits of patients receiving antibiotics can be effective in the development of appropriate prophylactic surgical regimens. However, during the study period in 1977, we were not able to show large scale improvement in therapeutic antimicrobial use at this community hospital, either by our attempts at physician education or by making infectious disease consultations available.     

监测血清降钙素原水平以优化重症肺炎的抗感染治疗策略

目的通过监测血清降钙素原（procalcitonin,PCT）在重症肺炎患者中的表达,以优化重症肺炎的抗感染治疗策略。方法选取2011年3月至2013年3月住南京医科大学附属南京医院ICU的重症肺炎患者60例,随机分为常规治疗组（30例）和PCT监测治疗组（30例）。常规治疗组根据病情决定抗菌药物的使用,PCT指导治疗组根据血清PCT水平作为停用抗菌药物的标准。观察两组患者的PSI评分、治疗有效率、住院病死率、住院时间、住院总费用及抗菌药物疗程、抗菌药物费用等。结果PCT监测治疗组的抗感染治疗的疗程、抗菌药物费用以及住院总费用方面,明显低于常规治疗组。而有效率、28d住院病死率及住院时间两组间未见明显差异。结论通过监测PCT可以缩短抗感染药物的疗程,此举避免了抗生素的过度使用并减轻了患者的经济负担。     

Cost of primary health care services in the emergency department and the family physician's office.

An attempt has been made to determine the true cost of providing primary health care for nontraumatic conditions in the emergency departments of two hospitals in Ontario and in the offices of family physicians. A total of 1117 patients presenting with 1 of 10 common symptom/sign complexes at the emergency departments or the offices of 15 participating family physicians were studies with regard to number of visits made, type of assessment by the physician, investigations undertaken, management, therapy and outcome of the illness. Costs were calculated from the charges that would be made against the provincial health services insurance plan and from the system of hospital financing in effect in the province. The average true cost per illness episode of this type of care was $14.63 in hospital A, $14.20 in hospital B and $15.90 in the family physician''s office.     

游离植皮联合负压封闭引流治疗骨科创面的临床研究

目的：观察游离植皮联合负压封闭引流（vacuumsealingdrainage,后文简称VSD）对骨科创面的疗效,并与植皮后传统加压包扎相比较,为临床实践提供更好的治疗方法。方法：对广州中医药大学第一附属医院创伤骨科2008年3月至2010年2月收治的65例感染创面病例采取手术清创后予VSD引流,合理应用抗生素,创面感染得到控制后,创面干净,肉芽生成良好,外露的肌腱、骨膜表面有新鲜的肉芽组织覆盖,达到植皮的要求后,随机分成两组,其中30例（实验组）采用游离植皮联合VSD法闭合创面,35例（对照组）采用游离植皮加压包扎植皮区,对两组术后的平均换药次数、创面平均愈合时间、植皮成活率情况、平均住院时间（植皮后）、平均抗生素应用次数（植皮后）进行统计学分析,采用t检验和卡方检验,对此两种方法进行评价。结果：植皮联合VSD组与植皮加压包扎组,在平均换药次数、创面平均愈合时间、植皮成活率、平均住院时间（植皮后）、平均抗生素应用次数（植皮后）的对比,有显著性差异（P〈0.05）。结论：创面达到游离植皮条件后,游离植皮联合VSD负压引流可以促使皮片黏附,保持创面洁净,避免皮下渗液积聚,有利于皮片的存活,与植皮加压包扎组相比,减少了平均换药次数,缩短创面平均愈合时间及平均住院时间（植皮后）,减少抗生素平均应用次数,提高了植皮成活率,说明游离植皮联合VSD组优于游离植皮加压包扎组,游离植皮联合VSD法治疗骨科创面有显著疗效。该手术方法操作简单,术后护理方便,是一种较理想的植皮后的固定方法,有利于创面的愈合,值得临床推广应用。     

感染控制与抗菌药物管理措施干预对骨科手术部位感染的影响

探讨感染控制与抗菌药物管理措施干预对骨科手术部位感染(surgical site infection, SSI)的影响，为有效降低SSI的发生提供循证依据。以2013—2018年在上海市杨浦区中心医院骨科住院的 8 916 例手术患者作为研究对象，其中干预前 2 462 例，干预后 4 636 例，强化干预 1 818 例。采取综合性感染控制集束化管理与抗菌药物管理干预措施，分为干预前(2013—2014年)、干预后(2015—2017年)和强化干预(2018年)3个阶段，主要措施包括术前手卫生及患者准备、术中保温及围术期合理用药等。对骨科SSI情况及干预效果进行评估。结果显示，实施感染控制的集束化措施与有效的抗菌药物管理措施后，手术患者SSI发生率由干预前的1.58%下降至0.61%(P<0.05)。干预前、后及强化干预Ⅰ、Ⅱ类切口预防用抗菌药物的品种合理率分别为54.83%、79.82%和99.04%，时机合理率分别为51.99%、78.53%和89.97%，疗程合理率分别为52.98%、82.19%和91.97%，结果显示抗菌药物品种选择、给药时机及疗程的合理率明显改善(P<0.05)，且平均住院天数及抗菌药物占住院总费用的比例明显下降(P<0.05)，表明长期连续的综合性感染控制与抗菌药物管理干预可有效降低骨科手术患者SSI的发生。     

INTENSIVE REHABILITATION—Recent Experience in a Chronic Disease Hospital

An intensive rehabilitation program for persons with severe physical disabilities was carried on over a two-year period in a 35-bed unit at Rancho Los Amigos Hospital, a chronic disease hospital.Eighty-five patients were released (69 adults, 16 children) from the program after an average stay of six and a half months. Seventy-one per cent of these were discharged to their homes and the remainder were transferred to convalescent wards so much improved that they required less care, even worked on the grounds.Over half of the adult patients discharged to their homes became employed, not counting the women who resumed housework.The average hospitalization for patients in the same hospital without this program is three and a half years. Thus, despite a much higher cost per day for the patients in the intensive rehabilitation program, the total cost is about $7,640 less per patient discharged from the hospital.In addition the shorter period in hospital helps meet the ever-increasing demand for chronic disease beds.     

Coronary artery bypass grafting: how much does it cost?

OBJECTIVE: To calculate the cost of coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) and to compare it with the costs determined in two previous Canadian studies. DESIGN: Retrospective cost-analysis study. SETTING: A tertiary care referral hospital. PATIENTS: Fifty patients who had undergone successful triple and quadruple CABG between Jan. 3 and 30, 1989. MAIN RESULTS: The cost of CABG per patient varied from $10,982 to $33,676 (mean $14,328) (in 1988 Canadian dollars). The cost tended to increase with age and number of vessels grafted. Compared with the patients in the two previous Canadian studies our patients were older, had more vessels grafted and cost more to treat, even after the total hospital costs were adjusted for inflation. CONCLUSIONS: The population undergoing CABG is changing: it is older and has more diseased vessels. These changes have had a significant impact on the cost of CABG. Further study is required to determine the outcome and benefit of CABG in this group of patients.     

Quality of use of parenteral metronidazole therapy in a teaching hospital

The recent release, relatively high cost and potential adverse effects of parenterally administered metronidazole prompted a quality-of-use audit at a 1000-bed teaching hospital. Ninety-two courses of treatment in 81 inpatients during a 6-week period were studied. Appropriateness of therapy was assessed on the basis of published indications. Parenterally administered metronidazole was prescribed primarily in anaerobic and anaerobic-aerobic infections. It was used as frequently for prophylaxis as for therapy. Surgical services accounted for 95% of the treatment courses. Inappropriate use was noted in 27 (29%) of the courses: agents other than parenterally administered metronidazole were indicated in 12 (13%), while the dose, dosing interval or duration of treatment was suboptimal in 15 (16%). Substantial savings would be achieved if oral or rectal metronidazole therapy were substituted for intravenous therapy for perioperative prophylaxis in elective colorectal surgery. Written justification for use and automatic stop orders are recommended to improve the cost effectiveness of both prophylactic and therapeutic use of selected antimicrobial agents.     

血清降钙素原(PCT)检测对于老年心衰抗感染治疗的指导意义分析

目的:探讨血清降钙素原(PCT)对于老年心衰患者抗感染治疗中的指导意义。方法:选取我院于2013年1月-2014年6月间收治的130例老年心衰患者,将其随机分为观察组以及对照组,每组65例,对照组根据患者的病情变化决定是否使用抗菌药物,而观察组根据PCT变化决定是否使用抗菌素治疗。比较2组患者的体温、PCT、WBC、CRP变化情况,治疗效果,住院情况以及抗菌素使用情况。结果:观察组在使用抗菌药物当日的PCT水平明显低于入院时,P0.05,而体温、WBC、CRP水平比较无明显差异,使用抗菌药物3 d后,血清PCT水平相比于使用抗菌素当日明显下降,体温相比于入院时显著下降,P0.05。观察组的二重感染率明显低于对照组,P0.05,观察组的抗菌药物使用疗程、费用以及总住院费用均明显低于对照组,组间比较有明显差异,P0.05。结论:PCT指标应用于老年心衰患者应用抗菌素的指导治疗,能够减少抗菌药物的使用量,降低住院费用,减少住院时间,减少二重感染的发生率。