Work

CO‐MRSA Infections in Australia Cost $3.5B Per Annum

Year: 2017

Type: conference-paper

Abstract: Introduction The health and economic burdens of community-onset methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (CO-MRSA) infections are needed to inform policy, planning and evidence-based practice. We aimed to synthesise data from a range of public sources to generate the first estimate of the national incidence and cost of CO-MRSA infections. Methods Incidences of CO-MRSA skin and soft tissue (SSTI), lower respiratory tract (LRTI) and bloodstream (BSI) infections were calculated for regions of Australia using data from existing literature and correspondence with specialists. Simulations estimated costs using treatment models developed for children and adults in primary or tertiary care settings and including bed-stay, diagnostics, procedures, mortalities and loss of productivity. Results Annually, in Australia there were found to be 3702 CO-MRSA SSTIs, 559 CO-MRSA BSIs and 425 CO-MRSA LRTIs, occupying 147,000 bed-days, including 1600 bed-days in intensive care. Incidence ranged from 4 /100,000 person-years in Tasmania to 243 /100,000 person-years in central Australia. CO-MRSA cost $3.5b annually in Australia. The higher incidence of SSTIs resulted in costs greater than summing the costs of BSIs and LRTIs. The greatest cost was mortality. The cost to the health system was found to be $1.9b, with bed occupancies accounting for ≥94%. Conclusion This was the first evaluation of the health and economic burden of CO-MRSA in Australia. We found a need for increased and more consistent data collection for a significant and expensive disease. Disclosure of Interest Statement: This research was funded by NHMRC grant GNT1027589.

Source: QUT ePrints (Queensland University of Technology)