The burden of surgical site infections in Australia: A cost-of-illness study

Objective: To estimate the cost of surgical site infections in Australian public hospitals in 2018–19, to demonstrate the economic burden of hospital-associated infection in a well-resourced health system. Methods: A cost-of-illness analysis was conducted over a 1-year time horizon based on data from published literature extrapolated using simulation techniques. The direct and indirect costs of SSI were estimated for Australia and each of its states and territories. Results: An estimated 16,541 cases of SSI occurred in Australian public hospitals in 2018–19, resulting in a total direct cost of A$323.5 million. The average cost per case was A$18,814, which was 2.5 times the average per capita spending on health. The indirect costs of absenteeism and premature death were valued at A$23.0 million and A$2 948.1 million per annum, respectively. Conclusion: SSI is a significant but preventable cost with most of the financial burden coming from premature deaths but underreporting means our costs are likely underestimated.