Cost analysis of a home intravenous antibiotic program.

A cost analysis of a home intravenous antibiotic program was performed, and the feasibility of the program was evaluated. All fiscal data related to the antibiotic therapy of the 10 study patients were collected from the patients' billing records and charts. Inpatient charges for antibiotics, supplies, laboratory tests, and the hospital room were identified from the patient's bill. Personnel costs were obtained from a log maintained by the home antibiotic team members. Charges accrued were converted to costs using the cost-to-charge ratio for each cost center. Fiscal analysis was performed using a subgroup of six patients with osteomyelitis. For all the patients, the mean duration of home therapy was 26 days. Inpatient treatment averaged 15.9 days. No major catheter-related problems were identified. For the osteomyelitis patients, the total cost of therapy, both inpatient and outpatient, was $57,854. If all of the therapy for this subgroup of patients had been provided on an inpatient basis, the total cost would have been $98,314. The home intravenous antibiotic program was determined to be feasible and cost-effective.