Economic Aspects Of Deep Sternal Wound Infections

Patients With Sternal Wound Infections Cost Three Times More And Use Up Double The Bed Capacity

Surgical site infection is the costliest complication of cardiac surgery. Consequently, the overall cost of coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) surgery increases significantly when deep wound infections (DSWI) occur.

The increased overall Length of stay (LOS) may be due to the need for additional vacuum-assisted surgery and antibiotic therapy.

This study done by the Hannover Medical School by K Graf et Al. compared hospital and intensive care unit (ICU) LOS and total cost of patients undergoing CABG with subsequent DSWI incidence.

In this study the total cost of DSWI cases was analyzed and compared with CABG patients without DSWI. Cases were included according to CDC (Center for Disease Control) criteria for DSWI occurring during hospitalization after CABG.

Two control patients with no signs or symptoms of infection during hospitalization were matched to each case by their diagnostically relevant group (DRG), age/-5 years and sex. Preoperative hospital stay up to 2 days was included.

A total of 17 CABG patients (cases) with DSWI from January 2006 to March 2008 and 34 matched controls were included.

The mean total cost per CABG case was €36,261 and €13,356 in uninfected control patients (p<00001).

Median total LOS (Length of Stay) was 344 days and 165 days respectively (p=00006).

Conclusion: The study concludes that DSWIs are an important economic factor for hospitals - they can nearly triple the cost of patients undergoing CABG.

To prevent this complications, use the Posthorax support vest as illustrated in 14 clinical trials, see the Solution section of this website.

To contact us please write an email to: Info@posthorax.com

Link to the study: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19896860/