Cost effectiveness of antimicrobial catheters in the intensive care unit: addressing uncertainty in the decision

Table 3 Economic evaluation of antimicrobial central venous catheters: incremental costs and health outcomes under baseline analysis

Catheter type	Infections avoided^a	ICU bed days released^a	Costs saved^a (2006 AUD)	QALYs gained^a	ICER	Average monetary net benefits^b (95% confidence interval)
Uncoated						390,664 (371,984 to 408,416)
CH/SSD (ext)	8.4	18.1	$93,281	0.91	Dominated	391,212 (372,736 to 408,687)
CH/SSD (int/ext)	7.4	15.9	$51,126	0.80	Dominated	391,030 (372,467 to 408,574)
SPC	11.4	24.6	$120,062	1.23	Dominated	391,206 (372,687 to 408,772)
MR	15.2	32.8	$130,289	1.64	Cost-saving	391,612 (373,159 to 408,861)

^aResults presented per 1,000 catheters; ^bMonetary net benefits reported per catheter assuming a willingness-to-pay for a QALY of AUD $40,000.
CH/SSD, chlorhexidine silver sulfadiazine; ICER, incremental cost effectiveness ratio; ICU, intensive care unit; int/ext, internally and externally coated; QALY, quality-adjusted life year; MR, minocycline and rifampicin; SPC, silver, platinum and carbon.

ISSN: 1364-8535