Cost-efficiency of a long-acting cephalosporin agent

In a prospective longitudinal study of patients in a general surgical ward, the relative cost-efficiencies of a long-acting third generation cephalosporin (ceftriaxone--mean plasma elimination t 1/2 390 min) and a short-acting second generation cephalosporin (cephamandole: mean plasma elimination t 1/2 32 min) were determined. The total cost of therapy for 24 h was +32.88 for cephamandole and +22.78 for ceftriaxone, that is, a reduction of 31%. Considerable cost containment can be achieved by using third generation cephalosporin agents that only require the administration of one intravenous injection per day.