Discontinuation of antimicrobials and costs of treating patients with infection

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the repercussions of discontinuation the cost with the antimicrobial treatment of patients with bloodstream infection. METHODS: A historical cohort study conducted in the intensive care unit of a hospital in Belo Horizonte (MG). The population included 62 patients with bloodstream infection caused by Staphylococcus aureus. Data were collected between March/2007 and March/2011 from patients' medical records, Commission of Hospital Infection Control and Sector of Costs, with descriptive and univariate analysis. RESULTS: Colonization was associated with the occurrence of infection with resistant microorganisms (p <0.05). The antimicrobial discontinuation reduced the spectrum of action of the antibiotic prescribed, and the treatment costs (R$ 2,673.12 to R$ 727.03, p = 0.001). CONCLUSION: The discontinuation of antimicrobials favored the redirection of patient therapy, reducing, where necessary, the spectrum of action of the prescribed antimicrobial and, consequently, the costs of treatment.