Economic Aspects of Preventing Health Care–Associated Infections in the Intensive Care Unit
Section snippets
VAP
VAP accounts for nearly one third of all HAI and is responsible for more than 50% of all ICU antibiotic utilization.5 Patient mix has a critical impact on its incidence, with slightly more than 2 cases per 1000 mechanical ventilation (MV) days occurring in medical ICUs and nearly 11 cases per 1000 MV days among burn patients.10 Geography is another critical factor. An extensive international survey of ICUs in Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, India, Mexico, Morocco, Peru, and Turkey showed that VAP
Summary
Although it is self-evident that earlier attitudes that did not embrace concepts of HAI prevention are no longer acceptable, it is less clear that current practices are optimally effective for this purpose. Because VAP is the most prevalent HAI in the ICU, it provides a relevant case study for evaluation of the clinical and economic of HAI prevention efforts and the resultant cost-effectiveness ramifications. Although clinicians should strive to minimize the incidence of VAP, the complete
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The authors received no funding for the current work. Dr Zilberberg has received research and/or consulting funds from Johnson & Johnson, Astellas Pharma US, Inc., Bard, Forest and Pfizer, and holds stock in Johnson & Johnson. She received research support from the manufacturer to develop the cost-effectiveness model for the silver-coated ETT mentioned in this article. Dr Shorr has served as a consultant, speaker, or investigator for Astellas, Bard, Covidien, Bayer, Esai, Eli Lilly, Forrest, Theravance, and Trius. He received research support from the manufacturers to develop the cost-effectiveness models for both of the endotracheal tubes mentioned in this article.