Why Do Hospital-Acquired Infections Hurt German Hospitals?

You might think that getting sick in the hospital is bad enough, but nosocomial infections (NIs) make it even worse. These are infections patients get while they're in the hospital. They can lead to higher death rates and a poorer quality of life. But it's not just about the patients; hospitals feel the pain too. When patients have NIs, they tend to stay longer. This means hospital beds are occupied for more days, which costs the hospital money. This study looked at a German hospital to figure out just how much these extra days cost. They considered how long patients stayed, how much money the hospital makes each day, and how many beds were filled. NIs aren't just a health problem; they're also a financial one. Patients with these infections need more care and stay in the hospital longer. This leads to what's called opportunity costs. In simple terms, it's like the hospital is missing out on money it could make if those beds were free for other patients. The longer a bed is occupied, the less money the hospital makes from other potential patients. The study aimed to calculate these opportunity costs. They did this by looking at how long patients stayed, how much money the hospital makes each day, and how many beds were actually used. This helps hospitals understand the full impact of NIs on their finances. It's not just about the direct costs of treatment; it's also about the money they're not making because of these infections.