Excess of costs by nosocomial sepsis in two neonatal services from Trujillo, Perú 2003-2005

Abstract

Objectives. Quantify the excess of costs by nosocomial sepsis in neonatology services at two hospitals in Northern Peru. Material and methods. A study of costs in the Belen Hospital and Regional Docente of the Ministry of Health in Trujillo, using a methodology proposed by the PAHO. We selected 141 cases with nosocomial sepsis from records of the nosocomial infection surveillance system, contrasting with newborns hospitalized without sepsis during the period from 2003 to 2005. The cost indicators used were bed-days, use of antimicrobial translated into defined daily doses (DDD) and number of blood cultures. Results. The excess of cost in subsidized rates by nosocomial infection in newborns from the Regional Docente Hospital of Trujillo (n = 53) amounted to U.S. $ 7 580 per hospitalization, 408 of antimicrobial drugs and 144 for blood culture. In the Belen Hospital of Trujillo (n = 88) of U.S. $ 15 997 per hospitalization, 733 in antibiotics and 914 in blood cultures. Conclusions. Neonatal nosocomial sepsis generates a higher cost to the system, mainly for hospitalization. Should implement prevention programs to reduce the costs associated and the morbidity and mortality they produce.