A study published in PLOS ONE examined the management of Clostridium difficile infections from an economic perspective.
Researchers conducted a model-based economic evaluation to find the cost-effective healthcare intervention for lowering C. diff rates. They synthesized efficacy evidence from research literature and used it to inform the effectiveness of both bundled approaches and stand-alone interventions for C. diff.
Researchers found a bundled approach of improving hand hygiene and environmental cleaning results is the best combination of increased health benefits and cost-savings related to C. diff treatment. The bundled approach has the highest mean net monetary benefit when compared to all other interventions.
"These findings provide healthcare decision-makers with novel information about the allocation of scarce resources relating to Clostridium difficile," study authors concluded.