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The Daily Direct Costs of Isolating Patients Identified With Highly Resistant Microorganisms

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 November 2020

Manon van Dijk
Affiliation:
Department of Medical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
t holt
Affiliation:
Medical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Erasmus University Medical Centre
tte Severin
Affiliation:
Erasmus MC University Medical Center Rotterdam
Suzanne Polinder
Affiliation:
Department of Public Health, Erasmus University Medical Center Rotterdam, The Netherlands
M. Vos
Affiliation:
ErasmusMC
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Abstract

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Background: Isolation precautions are recommended when caring for patients identified with highly resistant microorganisms (HRMOs). However, the direct costs of isolating patients are largely unknown. Therefore, we aimed to obtain detailed information on the daily direct costs associated with isolating patients identified with HRMO. Methods: This study was performed from November until December 2017 on a 12-bed surgical ward. This ward contained solely isolation rooms with an anteroom. The daily direct costs of isolation were based on three cost items: (1) additional personal protective equipment (PPE); measured by counting the consumption of empty packaging materials, (2) cleaning and disinfection of the isolation room; based on the costs of an outsourced cleaning company, and (3) additional workload for healthcare workers; based on literature and multiplied by the average gross hourly salary of nurses. A distinction was made between the costs for strict isolation, contact-plus isolation, and contact isolation. Results: During the study period, 26 patients were nursed in isolation because of HRMO carriage, resulting in a total of 304 isolation days (median 7 isolation days; range 1-44). Gloves were consumed the most and hair caps the least. The average daily direct costs of isolation were the least expensive for contact isolation, €28/$31, and the most expensive for strict isolation, €41/$47. Conclusions: By using a novel, easy method to estimate consumption of PPE, we conclude that the daily direct costs of isolating a patient, differs per type of isolation. Insight into the direct costs of isolation is of utmost importance when developing or revising policies.

Funding: None

Disclosures: None

Type
Poster Presentations
Copyright
© 2020 by The Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America. All rights reserved.