Secondary costs due to nosocomial infections in two pediatric intensive care units

Objective. We estimated associated costs to nosocomial infections in Mo pediatric intensive care units in Mexico City. Material and methods. A transversal study in the neonatal (NICU) and pediatric (PICU) intensive care units, was done. We reviewed use and cost of diagnostic procedures, medications, and excess of hospital stay. Results. There were 102 infections, 46 in the NICU and 56 in the PICU. The average cost per infection was $11,682 USD and the overall expense was 1,184.71 USD. Infected children had an excess of hospital stay of 9.6 days, 13.7 more laboratory tests and 3.3 more cultures. Hospital stay represented 97% of the overall cost. Conclusions. This is one of the first estimations of nosocomial infections cost done in Mexico. These results justify the introduction of infection control programs to decrease these complications.