Abstract

GARCIA, Alex et al. Hospital direct costs of ventilator-associated pneumonia. Acta Med Colomb [online]. 2014, vol.39, n.3, pp.238-243. ISSN 0120-2448.

Objective: the aim of the study was to determine the direct costs of treating mechanically ventilated patients who develop an episode of ventilator-associated pneumonia from the hospital perspective. Design: between June 1, 2011 and June 1, 2012, 90 patients on mechanical ventilation for more than 48 hours in 3 medical-surgical units of intensive care were evaluated for the presence of ventilator-associated pneumonia. Costs of unit stay, antibiotics, imaging and microbiological studies were determined. The total cost of mechanical ventilation with ventilator-associated pneumonia and without pneumonia was determined. The incremental cost of an episode of pneumonia was established. Costs were calculated according to the value of Colombian pesos in 2011 and converted to dollars valued in 2012. Results: from a total of 90 patients, 33 had ventilator-associated pneumonia. The average cost per patient on mechanical ventilation was $ 7950. The average cost per patient on mechanical ventilation with ventilator-associated pneumonia was $ 21 217. The incremental cost was $ 14 328 (p < 0.001). The source of the costs was 69% in hospital stay, 21% in antibiotic treatment, 6% in laboratory studies and imaging, and 1% in microbiological studies. In the multivariate analysis by multiple linear regression, the presence of ventilator-associated pneumonia was significantly associated with the total costs (p = 0.0001). Conclusions: ventilator-associated pneumonia increased total costs. Patients with ventilator-associated pneumonia had an additional cost of $ 14 328.

Keywords : intensive care; ventilator-associated pneumonia; health care costs; critically ill patients; sepsis.

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