For this study, researchers reviewed literature published from 2000 to November 2011 on Medline. Search terms included “costs and cost analysis,” “cost-effectiveness,” “cost” and “financial management, hospital.” The researchers also utilized the Cochrane rules of evidence to ensure the quality of potentially relevant studies. Ultimately, researchers found the following interventions were most cost-effective:
1. Pharmacist-led medication reconciliation to prevent potential adverse drug events dominated was more cost-effective than a strategy of no reconciliation.
2. Chlorhexidine for catheter-related bloodstream infection prevention is more cost-effective than povidone-iodine for catheter site care.
3. The Keystone ICU initiative for central line-associated bloodstream infection prevention was more cost-effective than traditional care.
4. Standard surgical sponge counting was deemed more economical than no counting.
Researchers also concluded several strategies were less economically attractive, including bar-coded sponges and erythropoietin administration to reduce transfusion-related adverse events.
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