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ObjectiveThis systematic review sought to assess the costs and benefits of interventions preventing hospital-acquired infections and to evaluate methodological and reporting quality.MethodsWe systematically searched Medline via PubMed and the National Health Service Economic Evaluation Database from 2009 to 2014. We included quasi-experimental and randomized trails published in English or German evaluating the economic impact of interventions preventing the four most frequent hospital-acquired infections (urinary tract infections, surgical wound infections, pneumonia, and primary bloodstream infections). Characteristics and results of the included articles were extracted using a standardized data collection form. Study and reporting quality were evaluated using SIGN and CHEERS checklists. All costs were adjusted to 2013 US$. Savings-to-cost ratios and difference values with interquartile ranges (IQRs) per month were calculated, and the effects of study characteristics on the cost-benefit results were analyzed.ResultsOur search returned 2067 articles, of which 27 met the inclusion criteria. The median savings-to-cost ratio across all studies reporting both costs and savings values was US $7.0 (IQR 4.2–30.9), and the median net global saving was US $13,179 (IQR 5,106–65,850) per month. The studies’ reporting quality was low. Only 14 articles reported more than half of CHEERS items appropriately. Similarly, an assessment of methodological quality found that only four studies (14.8%) were considered high quality.ConclusionsPrevention programs for hospital acquired infections have very positive cost-benefit ratios. Improved reporting quality in health economics publications is required.

SSIs following CABG are associated with an additional LOS and a significant economic burden depending on the classification of SSI. A very important component of the additional cost is the prolongation of LOS. Therefore, it is essential to shorten the hospital stay due to SSIs as far as possible.

Introduction Healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) are a major health concern and have substantial effects on morbidity and mortality and increase healthcare costs. We investigated the effect of a hospital-wide program for the prevention of HAIs on additional length of stay (LOS). Methods We analyzed data from a prospective, single-center, quasi-experimental study with two surveillance periods before and after implementation of an infection prevention intervention program. HAI diagnosis was made according to surveillance definition criteria established by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. A multistate model was used to estimate additional LOS for patients with HAI in both surveillance periods. Results During the first and second periods, 1,568 and 2,336 HAIs were identified among 26,943 and 35,211 patients, respectively. For HAI patients exclusively treated in a general ward, additional LOS was 8.4 (95% confidence interval, CI: 6.8–10.0) days in the first period and 9.6 (95% CI: 8.3–11.0) days in the second period (p = 0.26). For HAI patients treated in both an intensive care unit (ICU) and a general ward, additional LOS was 8.1 (95% CI: 6.3–9.9) days in the first period to 7.3 (95% CI: 6.1–8.5) days in the second period (p = 0.47). Conclusions Healthcare-associated infections prolong LOS. A hospital-wide infection control program did not alter the prolongation of LOS.