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Cost Improvements Through the Establishment of prudent Infection Control Practices in a Brazilian General Hospital, 1986–1989

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  21 June 2016

M.D.A. Cavalcante*
Affiliation:
The Hospital das Forcas Armadas, Brasilia, Brazil
O.B. Braga
Affiliation:
The Hospital das Forcas Armadas, Brasilia, Brazil
C.H. Teofilo
Affiliation:
The Hospital das Forcas Armadas, Brasilia, Brazil
E.N. Oliveira
Affiliation:
The Hospital das Forcas Armadas, Brasilia, Brazil
A. Alves
Affiliation:
The Hospital das Forcas Armadas, Brasilia, Brazil
*
SQN 107, Bloco H, Apto. 506, CEP 70743, Brasilia DF, Brazil

Abstract

Objectives:

To review procedures currently practiced in a Brazilian general hospital and to eliminate ineffective and inefficient practices. To measure the resulting cost improvements based on rigid hospital financing control.

Design:

Implementation of surveillance and control programs and prevalence surveys to detect ineffective and inefficient practices.

Participants:

The study institution is a 130-bed general care facility affiliated with the Brazilian federal government. There were approximately 4,600 admissions per year during the study period (1986- 1989).

Results:

Instituting infection control measures and eliminating ineffective practices resulted in the following: an overall decrease in wound infection rates from 24.4% in 1987 to 3.45% in 1989; a 71% reduction in the global incidence of infection in the intensive care unit; a 74% reduction in the surgical prophylactic use of antibiotics; and a total savings of approximately $2 million (US dollars).

Conclusions:

During the period from 1986 to 1989, the infection control committee was able to decrease the overall wound infection rate from 24.4% in 1987 to 3.45% in 1989. This eliminated special health problems and improved patient care and cost-effectiveness for our hospital.

Type
Original Articles
Copyright
Copyright © The Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America 1991

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