Outcomes and management costs in patients hospitalized for skin and skin-structure infections

Background: This study was conducted to determine outcomes and costs of treating complicated skin and skin-structure infections (cSSSIs) due to gram-positive only, gram-negative only, or mixed pathogens (gram-positive and gram-negative), including those with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) or Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Methods: Data on length of stay (LOS), mortality, and charges for cSSSIs were compiled from claims in the multihospital Solucient database from 2002 to 2006. Results: Among the 5156 cases with pathogens identified, 59.7% were gram-positive, 21.5% were gram-negative, and 18.8% were mixed. Patients with mixed pathogens incurred significantly higher LOS (17.2 days), mortality (10.2%), and charges ($80,093) than those with cSSSIs due to gram-negative pathogens (10.1 days, 6.5%, and $41,634, respectively) or to gram-positive pathogens (9.5 days, 4.8%, and $40,046, respectively). MRSA was isolated from 21.6% of all cases and from 26.3% of cases involving mixed pathogens. MRSA cases had significantly longer LOS and greater mortality than non-MRSA cases, but similar total charges. P aeruginosa occurred in 13.3% of all cases and in 36.3% of cases involving mixed pathogens. P aeruginosa cases had significantly higher LOS and charges compared with non-P aeruginosa cases. Conclusion: Although gram-positive pathogens were the most common causes of cSSSIs, cases involving mixed and resistant pathogens were associated with longer LOS, greater mortality, and higher total charges.