The research team used a stochastic decision-analytic computer simulation to evaluate the economic implant of preoperative screening and decolonization on orthopedic surgery patients from the third-party payor and hospital perspective. The analysis considered the varying MRSA colonization prevalence, the cost of screening and decolonization and the probability of success.
The researchers found that MRSA screening and decolonization was cost-effective from the third-party payor perspective even with MRSA prevalence at 1 percent, decolonization at a 25 percent success rate and decolonization costs at $300 per patient. From the hospital perspective, the MRSA screening and decolonization was economically beneficial for all scenarios explored.
Read the abstract for “The Economic Effect of Screening Orthopedic Surgery Patients Preoperatively for Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus.”
Read other coverage on orthopedic surgery infections:
– AAOS Approves New Clinical Practice Guidelines on Diagnosing Periprosthetic Infections
– Metal Staples Can Lead to Great Infection Risk After Orthopedic Hip Surgery
– 5 Tips for Improved Infection Control: Dr. Ralph Gambardella of Kerlan-Jobe Surgery Center
