Direct costs associated with a hospital-acquired outbreak of rotaviral gastroenteritis infection in a long term care institution

SummaryIn January 2008, 63 patients were infected during an outbreak of rotaviral gastroenteritis in a long term care facility for elderly patients. The aim of this study was to evaluate the direct financial costs of this outbreak to the hospital. Data on costs were gathered from both medical records and the hospital finance department. The total hospital cost of the outbreak was €17,959, or €285.1 per case, comprising: €4,948 for medical investigation and treatment costs, €4,400 for isolation, €1,879 for infection control staff, €4,170 for other staff and €2,562 for bed-day loss. The cost of this outbreak emphasises the importance of the early recognition of an outbreak and implementation of infection control measures.