Cost-effectiveness of active surveillance cultures and contact/droplet precautions for control of methicillin-resistantStaphylococcus aureus

An effective computerized reminder for contact isolation of patients colonized or infected with resistant organisms

“…During our study, annual isolation gown expenditures increased 23% from the same time period a year earlier ($167,000 to $205,000). This increase is consistent with reports at other institutions, although evidence overwhelmingly favors strict contact isolation when factoring in the cost savings in prevented nosocomial infections [15,16,17].…”

Effect of Screening for Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus Carriage by Polymerase Chain Reaction on the Duration of Unnecessary Preemptive Contact Isolation

“…Our cost estimates are very conservative. For a neonatal intensive care unit, Karchmer et al 9 reported minimal costs of US$30 per isolation-day for material (ie, gloves, gowns, and masks) and time.…”

Eradication of Methicillin-ResistantStaphylococcus AureusFrom a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit by Active Surveillance and Aggressive Infection Control Measures

“…This reinforces previous reports that earlier and successful eradication of outbreaks is cost-effective. 5,6 However, in this study, the length of stay was measured from the time of admission to the time of discharge from the NICU and was not adjusted for birth weight, gestational age at birth, or severity of illness; therefore, it may not be a true reflection of the role of MRSA in prolonging hospital stay. This study confirmed low birth weight and young gestational age to be significant risk factors for colonization and infection with MRSA.…”

“…4 Despite variable outcomes of MRSA control measures, early recognition of outbreaks and institution of aggressive infection control measures have been shown to be cost-effective. 5,6 We describe the successful eradication of a hospital-acquired strain of MRSA from a NICU and the infection control methods used to halt an outbreak that had been going on for months, as well as the risk factors for and outcomes of infection or colonization with MRSA. This study describes the effects of active surveillance and aggressive infection control measures in successfully terminating a MRSA outbreak in the NICU of a community hospital.…”