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

Table 4 Optimal choice of catheter under uncertainty, given different data scenarios

Scenario	Optimal catheter choice		Incremental outcomes with no uncertainty		Average incremental monetary net benefits given uncertainty^b
	Catheter type	Probability of error	Costs^a	QALYs^a	Mean	95% Confidence interval
Baseline	MR	0.62	- $130,289	1.64	948	-106 to 3,792
Low bed day ($335 ICU/$101 ward)	MR	0.76	+ $28,257	1.64	191	-348 to 1,317
High mortality (15%)	MR	0.46	- $106,223	26.65	2,441	116 to 8,516
No utility weights used	MR	0.62	- $130,289	2.33	1,042	-166 to 3,961
Increased length of stay (6.5 days ICU/6 days ward)	MR	0.56	- $282,038	1.64	1,239	-57 to 4,795
Low infection rate (0.8%)	MR	0.75	- $1,972	0.53	325	-71 to 1,283
High infection rate (5.0%)	MR	0.56	- $314,400	3.23	1,725	-139 to 6,455

^aRelative to uncoated catheters and per 1,000 catheters; ^bMonetary net benefits reported per catheter relative to uncoated catheters assuming a willingness-to-pay for a QALY of AUD $40,000.
ICU, intensive care unit; QALY, quality-adjusted life year.

ISSN: 1364-8535