Direct costs associated with a nosocomial outbreak of Salmonella infection: An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure

Background: Nosocomial outbreaks of Salmonella infections in Australia are an infrequent but significant source of morbidity and mortality. Such an ou tbreak results in direct, measurable expenses for acute care management, as well as numerous indirect (and less quantifiable) costs to those affected, the hospital, and the wider community. This article describes the signific ant direct costs incurred as a result of a nosocomial outbreak of Salmonell a infection involving patients and staff. Method: Information on costs incurred by the hospital was gathered from a n umber of sources. The data were grouped into 4 sections (medical costs, inv estigative costs, lost productivity costs, and miscellaneous) with use of a n existing tool for calculating the economic impact of foodborne illness. Results: The outbreak cost the hospital more than AU $120,000. (US $95,000) . This amount is independent of more substantial indirect costs. Conclusion: Salmonella infections are preventable. Measures to aid the prev ention of costly outbreaks of nosocomial salmonellosis, although available, require an investment of both time and money. We suggest that dedication o f limited resources toward such preventive strategies as education is a pra ctical and cost-effective option for health care facilities.