Analysis of Economic Outcomes of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA) Bacteremia Using Retrospective Case-Control Study

Abstract

BACKGROUND: As the prevalence of antimicrobial-resistant pathogens increase, the concern for the impact of it enlarged. Antimicrobial resistance not only leads to high mortality and morbidity but also increases the cost of patient care. METHOD: A retrospective case-control study was conducted to examine the economic impact of methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) bacteremia among patients in 3 hospitals in Seoul, Korea. Thirty-one cases were defined as patients with MRSA bacteremia, whereas 31 controls were methicillin susceptible Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA) bacteremia patients. RESULT: The median hospital charge was higher for cases with MRSA bacteremia than for controls with MSSA bacteremia. The median hospital stay of patient with MRSA bacteremia was 28 days and that of patient with MSSA bacteremia was 18 days. CONCLUSION: Methicillin resistance in S. aureus bacteremia is associated with increase in hospital charges.