New choices for central venous catheters: potential financial implications

Area of Science:

• Healthcare Economics
• Infectious Disease Prevention
• Medical Device Technology

Background:

• Central venous catheters (CVCs) are essential but pose a risk for catheter-related bloodstream infections (CRBSIs).
• Newer CVCs impregnated with antiseptics and antibiotics aim to reduce CRBSI rates.
• The cost-effectiveness of these advanced CVCs compared to traditional ones requires thorough evaluation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the cost-effectiveness of antiseptic and antibiotic-impregnated CVCs.
• To compare the economic value of chlorhexidine silver sulfadiazine (CSS) and rifampin-minocycline (RM) coated CVCs.
• To determine the savings associated with preventing CRBSIs using these novel devices.

Main Methods:

• Decision model analysis comparing uncoated, CSS-coated, and RM-coated CVCs.
• Evaluation of costs and efficacy in preventing CRBSIs.
• Model estimates derived from prospective trials and CRBSI cost studies.

Main Results:

• Both CSS and RM CVCs demonstrated significant cost savings, approximately $10,000 per CRBSI averted compared to standard CVCs.
• The RM CVC was found to be more economically superior, offering additional savings of nearly $9,600 per CRBSI averted.
• Sensitivity analysis confirmed the economic attractiveness of treated CVCs even with varied input costs, particularly the cost of a CRBSI.

Conclusions:

• Antiseptic and antibiotic-impregnated CVCs are a cost-effective strategy for CRBSI prevention.
• The rifampin-minocycline (RM) coated CVC offers superior financial performance compared to the chlorhexidine silver sulfadiazine (CSS) coated CVC.
• These findings remain robust across various model input estimates, supporting the utilization of these advanced CVCs.