The cost associated with managing nephrotoxicity among vancomycin-treated patients in an intensive care unit.

Authors: JF Guest, G Roberts, J Baguley & M Palazzo.
Source: British Journal of Intensive Care 2000; May/June:78-86.

ABSTRACT

Nephrotoxicity is a common side-effect when certain combinations of drugs are used in the ICU. This study examined the costs associated with managing nephrotoxicity (defined as a 50% increase in serum creatinine concentration above admission baseline value) among a cohort of patients who had received vancomycin in the ICU at Charing Cross Hospital, London. The main costs were due to the additional length of ICU stay (mean 4 days) of patients who required haemofiltration. The data suggest that the more severely ill patients were more likely to develop nephrotoxicity. The replacement of drugs such as vancomycin and gentamicin, which may contribute to acute renal failure, by non-nephrotoxic antibiotics may potentially help to reduce the length of ICU stay and corresponding treatment costs.