WARD AJ, CARO JJ, BASSINET L, HOUSSET B, O'BRIEN JA, GUISO N; Interscience Conference on Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy (43rd: 2003: Chicago, Ill.).
Abstr Intersci Conf Antimicrob Agents Chemother Intersci Conf Antimicrob Agents Chemother. 2003 Sep 14-17; 43: abstract no. A-1367.
Caro Research Institute, Concord, MA.
BACKGROUND: Bordetella pertussis is highly contagious, and as immunity wanes after vaccination, it has remained a cause of chronic cough amongst adults, extending to prolonged illness and even hospitalization. The objective of this study was to estimate the economic impact of an outbreak of pertussis among healthcare workers in a French general hospital. METHODS: After 3 pertussis cases were confirmed amongst healthcare workers, all hospital employees and patients with cough (in patients and day cases) were screened between November 2000 and March 2001. Each potential case received diagnostic tests and could be prescribed antibiotics (spiramycin or azithromycin). Symptomatic employees were not allowed to return to work until they received an antibiotic for at least 5 days. Services used (physician visits/calls, antibiotics, diagnostic tests, X-rays, hospitalization and treatment provided to their contacts) were combined with cost estimates (in 2002 Euros) for these services in France. RESULTS: 91 potential cases were identified (77 healthcare workers, 12 patients, 2 family members), 89% received antibiotics; and 22% had at least one contact that was also treated. Four patients were hospitalized as a result of infection and 55% of the healthcare worker cases missed 5 days of work. Average medical cost was 297 Euros per potential case; diagnostic tests accounted for 32% and hospitalization for 31%. Total cost (medical and productivity) was 46,661 Euros for 91 cases, 42% from productivity losses. Additional costs were accrued from the information campaign to identify these potential cases. CONCLUSION: Serious adverse health and economic consequences arose from transmission of pertussis amongst healthcare workers, their families and patients.
Publication Types:
Keywords:
- Adult
- Anti-Bacterial Agents
- Azithromycin
- Bordetella pertussis
- Disease Outbreaks
- France
- Health Personnel
- Hospitalization
- Hospitals
- Humans
- Personnel, Hospital
- Pertussis Vaccine
- Vaccination
- Whooping Cough
- economics
Other ID:
UI: 102266012
From Meeting Abstracts