WOS: 000365428100009Aim: The purpose of this study is to overview nosocomial infections (NI), to determine risk factors and to evaluate the clinical and financial impact of NI on direct hospital cost among neurology intensive care unit (NICU) patients in a tertiary-care referral hospital. Material and Methods: A retrospective case control study was performed. The sample size was calculated to be at least 51 per group. A list of the last 55 patients who acquired an infection in NICU was obtained from infection control committee. These patients were matched with uninfected patients according to age, sex, diagnosis. The data were collected from patient files, accounting records. Results: A total of 79 NI occurred in 55 cases. The most common NI were pneumonia (48%), catheter related urinary tract infection (39%). Acinetobacter baumannii (25%) is most commonly responsible for NI. NI were detected less in patients who were conscious, non-intubated, without blood transfusion, tracheostomy, urinary catheter or mechanical ventilation. The mortality ratio was 53.1% in cases and 30.8% in controls. The excess costs of NI were $7121.15 and extra length of stay was 26.9 days. Although reimbursement took longer than six months, the Social Security Institution paid back the total billing amount. Conclusion: Given the impact on monetary and health costs of NI, measures to prevent NI in the hospital are strongly recommended for patient safety and for hospital reputation. NICUs in tertiary care referral facilities do not cause financial burden; on the contrary, they provide an opportunity to balance the budget
