[Proposal for a shortened i.v. antibiotic treatment as cost-saving measure in the treatment of uncomplicated infections].

New oral antibiotics with high rates of absorption and good bioavailability make it possible to reduce costs by shortening the i.v. treatment period. During two 2-month periods we analyzed every patient of the Medical Department who received i.v. treatment. We tried to reduce i.v. treatment duration simply by discussion with the responsible physician, guided essentially by the clinical course. The number of patients with reduced i.v. treatment were compared with a control period. We found that by this means, an i.v. treatment period of 4-7 days could often be reduced to 1-3 days. The main target pathologies with corresponding cost savings appeared to be infections of the lower respiratory tract, with a cost-saving potential of 1.4 days (p < 0.0001) and urinary tract infections with a cost-saving potential of SFr. 179.-(US$ 138.-) per case.