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

Objective. We estimated associated costs to nosocomial infections in Mo ped iatric intensive care units in Mexico City. Material and methods. A transve rsal 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 an d 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 o ne of the first estimations of nosocomial infections cost done in Mexico. T hese results justify the introduction of infection control programs to decr ease these complications.