Cost effectiveness of rapid testing for detection of Klebsiella spp. for hospital screening

Abstract

Introduction: Bacterial resistance is a worldwide problem, affecting mainly developing countries. It is estimated that in the future will kill more than cancer and cost US$ 100 trillion by 2050. Objective: The aim of this study was to identify the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) of the screening of Klebsiella pneumoniae that produces carbapenemase (KPC) infection according to the current protocol for carbamapenase production compared to the use of screening protocol using rapid test (real-time PCR). Methods: A cost-effectiveness analysis was performed using a decision tree model. Secondary data from governmental sources and the scientific literature will be used in the study, considering the perspective of the public health system. The population was composed of adult hospitalized patients at risk of KPC infection. Results: The present work identified that the use of KPC identification tests with real-time techniques are dominant in relation to the conventional test, with cost ratio incremental effectiveness of R$ -426.53/0.3, that is, 1,421.76 reais per case correctly identified favorable to the molecular test. Conclusions: The use of rapid tests for detection of KPC Can be regarded as an efficient screening method.