Study: Tests for drug-resistant infections cut deaths

Testing hospitalized patients for drug-resistant infections can cut mortality rates and lengths of stay and can lower costs of care, according to new research by the Advanced Medical Technology Association. For example, the study found that among patients with a secondary staph infection, those tested for antimicrobial susceptibility had a 52 percent lower probability of death before discharge. They also had a 17 percent lower mean length of stay, equating to $6,978 lower cost per discharge. AdvaMed estimates that testing all patients with this diagnosis in 2005 would have saved $8.3 billion. The study also found that among patients with any infectious and parasitic disease diagnosis, testing for antimicrobial susceptibility led to a 30 percent lower probability of death before discharge, 26 percent lower mean length of stay, and $7,524 lower cost per discharge.

To learn more about the study:
- read this AdvaMed press release

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