Healthcare Savings Associated with Reduced Infection Rates Using Antimicrobial Suture Wound Closure for Cerebrospinal Fluid Shunt Procedures

BACKGROUND/AIMS/METHODS: This is a follow-up study from a recent randomized controlled trial conducted at the Women and Children's Hospital of Buffalo that investigated the use of antimicrobial sutures (AMS) for wound closure during cerebrospinal fluid shunting procedures. Our purpose was to determine the average cost of shunt infections at our institution and estimate the healthcare savings associated with reduced infection rates secondary to AMS use. RESULT: We found that the treatment and management of a shunt infection resulted in a 5.3-fold increase in hospital charges. CONCLUSION: The potential healthcare savings associated with reduced infection rates are significant. These calculations demonstrate the profound economic effect a reduction in shunt infection rates may have on a healthcare system.