The cost of catheter-related bloodstream infections: implications for the value of prevention

Catheter-related bloodstream infections (CRBSIs) are frequently observed in the intensive care unit (ICU) and are a serious cause of morbidity and mortality in the United States. This article summarizes what is currently known about the cost of CRBSIs in the ICU setting. The cost of CRBSIs is between $33,000 and $44,000 in the general adult ICU, between $54,000 and $75,000 in the adult surgical ICU, and approximately $49,000 in the pediatric ICU. Finally, CRBSIs are associated with reimbursement that is more than $26,000 less than costs. Hospital and clinical decision makers should be aware of the high cost of CRBSIs in the ICU, the relatively poor reimbursement, and the implied high value of prevention efforts.