Le infezioni in medicina : rivista periodica di eziologia, epidemiologia, diagnostica, clinica e terapia delle patologie infettive
-
A study was carried out to assess treatment success and the overall costs of patients with ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP). In a prospective case control study, data were collected from 25 intensive care unit (ICU) beds. A total of 162 ICU patients who required mechanical ventilation were assessed. ⋯ The additional cost for VAP was found to be USD 5980 per patient. These data suggest that morbidity, mortality, ICU length of stay and costs increase with VAP. The additional costs for VAP are especially based on the use of novel and expensive antibiotics, other drugs, and medical material.