BACKGROUND: In October 2000, 41 people were infected during an outbreak of adenoviral keratoconjunctivitis. Such nosocomial outbreaks are frequently reported in long-term care institutions, even though simple measures to prevent or limit such occurrences are well documented. This study describes the significant direct costs incurred as a result of this nosocomial outbreak that involved patients and staff. METHODS: The costs measured in this study were grouped into the following 4 categories: medical, investigative, preventive, and lost productivity. Information about costs incurred by the hospital was gathered from a number of sources. RESULTS: The outbreak cost the hospital US $29,527 ($1085 for medical costs, $8210 for investigative costs, $3048 for preventive measures, and $17,184 for lost productivity). CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates the substantial expense incurred by 1 hospital as a result of an outbreak of a preventable disease. The measures necessary to prevent such a costly outbreak are simple and, therefore, cost-effective.
BACKGROUND: In October 2000, 41 people were infected during an outbreak of adenoviral keratoconjunctivitis. Such nosocomial outbreaks are frequently reported in long-term care institutions, even though simple measures to prevent or limit such occurrences are well documented. This study describes the significant direct costs incurred as a result of this nosocomial outbreak that involved patients and staff. METHODS: The costs measured in this study were grouped into the following 4 categories: medical, investigative, preventive, and lost productivity. Information about costs incurred by the hospital was gathered from a number of sources. RESULTS: The outbreak cost the hospital US $29,527 ($1085 for medical costs, $8210 for investigative costs, $3048 for preventive measures, and $17,184 for lost productivity). CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates the substantial expense incurred by 1 hospital as a result of an outbreak of a preventable disease. The measures necessary to prevent such a costly outbreak are simple and, therefore, cost-effective.
Authors: K A Viney; P J Kehoe; B Doyle; V Sheppeard; A R Roberts-Witteveen; H Semirli; K A McPhie; D E Dwyer; J M McAnulty Journal: Epidemiol Infect Date: 2007-11-30 Impact factor: 2.451
Authors: Su-Hsun Liu; Barbara S Hawkins; Sueko M Ng; Mark Ren; Louis Leslie; Genie Han; Irene C Kuo Journal: Cochrane Database Syst Rev Date: 2022-03-03
Authors: S Hansen; S Stamm-Balderjahn; I Zuschneid; M Behnke; H Rüden; R-P Vonberg; P Gastmeier Journal: J Hosp Infect Date: 2007-03-12 Impact factor: 3.926