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Pennsylvania hospitals analyze infection costs
Infection Control Monitor, March 31, 2006
According to a Pennsylvania state analysis released this week, Pennsylvania patients who contract an infection during a hospital stay are more likely to die, as well as cost insurers seven times as much than patients who didn't acquire an infection, the Washington Post reports.
Such complications cost insurers and individuals an extra $614 million, according to the report by the Pennsylvania Health Care Cost Containment Council. Patients with hospital-acquired infections spent more days in the hospital, underwent extensive procedures, and were seven times more likely to die. Although the findings are from only one state, analysts agree that the problem of hospital-acquired infections is universal, the Post reports.
Pennsylvania hospital representatives stressed that the analysis did not take into account the fact that some patients arrive older, sicker, or possibly with a pre-existing infection.
Pennsylvania is the first state to require hospital reporting of infections. Five other states (Florida, Illinois, Missouri, Nebraska, and Virginia) have similar laws but have not yet collected or published results.
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