Cost Effectiveness Analysis of Hygiene-Based Strategies Aimed Toward Prevention of SSTI and MRSA-Associated SSTI Among U.S. Active Duty Army Trainees
Abstract
Since the early 2000s, skin and soft tissue infections (SSTI) with Staphylococcus aureus (S.aureus) involvement have been an important public health problem within the recruit training population. The burden of these infections has been evaluated in clinical terms, but less is understood with respect to the time and costs associated with these infections. Multiple MRSA SSTI outbreaks occurred and a number of recommendations were made regarding the prevention and interruption of transmission of these infections among trainees. These recommendations included hygiene strategies such as regular hand washing and showering (sometimes with an agent such as chlorhexidine), implementing a hygiene education program, and disinfecting surfaces potentially contaminated with the S.aureus organism. The results regarding the effectiveness of these hygiene strategies within the military training setting have been mixed. A gap in knowledge existed with respect to not only the cost of these programs, but the effectiveness in terms of its effect on lost time in training. This studys purpose was to evaluate the burden of overall, S.aureus and MRSA SSTI in terms of time and costs and then identify cost effective approaches for reducing this burden.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Mar 25, 2015
- Accession Number
- AD1012734
Entities
People
- Stephanie M. Morrison
Organizations
- Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences