Positive impact of infection prevention on the management of nosocomial outbreaks at an academic hospital

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.

Keywords: cost–benefit analysis; health economics; infection prevention; nosocomial outbreaks.