Lower associated costs using rifampicin-miconazole‒impregnated catheters compared with standard catheters

Previous cost-effectiveness analyses found that antibiotic-impregnated catheters decrease the incidence of catheter-related bloodstream infection (CRBSI) as well as the costs related to central venous catheter (CVC) use, including increased hospital length of stay. The effect varied greatly among the studies, however. In this retrospective cohort study, compared with standard catheters, the use of rifampicin-miconazole-impregnated catheters was associated with lower CRBSI incidence and immediate CVC-related costs (taking into account only the costs of CVC, diagnosis, and treatment of CRBSI) (P < .001). Our data indicate that the use of rifampicin-miconazole-impregnated catheters can save associated costs.