Cost Drivers of a Hospital-Acquired Bacterial Pneumonia and Ventilator-Associated Bacterial Pneumonia Phase 3 Clinical Trial.

Background: Studies indicate that the prevalence of multidrug-resistant infections, including hospital-acquired bacterial pneumonia and ventilator-associated bacterial pneumonia (HABP/VABP), has been rising. There are many challenges associated with these disease conditions and the ability to develop new treatments. Additionally, HABP/VABP clinical trials are very costly to conduct given their complex protocol designs and the difficulty in recruiting and retaining patients. Methods: With input from clinicians, representatives from industry, and the US Food and Drug Administration, we conducted a study to (1) evaluate the drivers of HABP/VABP phase 3 direct and indirect clinical trial costs; (2) to identify opportunities to lower these costs; and (3) to compare (1) and (2) to endocrine and oncology clinical trials. Benchmark data were gathered from proprietary and commercial databases and used to create a model that calculates the fully loaded (direct and indirect) cost of typical phase 3 HABP/VABP endocrine and oncology clinical trials. Results: Results indicate that the cost per patient for a 200-site, 1000-patient phase 3 HABP/VABP study is $89600 per patient. The cost of screen failures and screen failure rates are the main cost drivers. Conclusions: Results indicate that biopharmaceutical companies and regulatory agencies should consider strategies to improve screening and recruitment to decrease HABP/VABP clinical trial costs.

[Urine antigen testing: Indication and contribution to the treatment of community-acquired pneumonia]. / Antigénuries: indications de prescription et apports thérapeutiques dans les pneumonies aiguës communautaires.

Urinary antigen tests are quick and simple tests helping to provide an etiological diagnosis in community-acquired pneumonia. However, their prescription is sometimes excessive and performed in unjustified situations. The therapeutic benefit is limited. Indeed, studies show that appropriate antibiotic therapy based on the result of urinary antigen tests does not improve the cost and the patient survival compared to empirical antibiotic therapy. One must be careful before antibiotic therapy reduction based on the sole negative result of urinary antigen test. Legionella urinary antigen test is the most commonly method used for the diagnosis of legionellosis but must be prescribed in a specific clinical context. Streptococcus pneumoniae urinary antigen test is especially interesting in the epidemiological surveillance of pneumococcal community-acquired pneumonia.

The cost effectiveness of dry powder antibiotics for the treatment of Pseudomonas aeruginosa in patients with cystic fibrosis.

BACKGROUND: Cystic fibrosis (CF) affects over 9,000 people in the UK and limits life expectancy. CF patients are susceptible to lung infections, most commonly Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Once infection is established, patients require lifetime treatment using nebulised antibiotics. Newer dry powder formulations of antibiotics may reduce treatment burden and improve compliance. OBJECTIVE: Our objective was to evaluate the cost effectiveness of (i) colistimethate sodium dry powder for inhalation (DPI) and (ii) tobramycin DPI versus nebulised tobramycin for the treatment of chronic P. aeruginosa lung infection in patients with CF from the perspective of the National Health Service (NHS) and Personal Social Services (PSS). METHODS: We developed a state transition model based on transitions between three strata of lung function measured in terms of forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) % predicted. Additional health states representing post-lung transplantation and dead are also modelled. The model structure was informed by systematic reviews of evidence concerning the plausibility of potential relationships between intermediate endpoints and final outcomes. The model assumes that treatment impacts on FEV1 trajectory, which manifest as changes in health-related quality of life. No survival benefit is assumed due to the absence of robust quantifiable evidence. Model parameters were informed by patient-level and aggregate data from two randomised controlled trials together with the best available evidence from the literature. Resource use and costs associated with drug acquisition, the management of exacerbations and reduced nebuliser maintenance were drawn from reference sources and expert opinion. Costs were valued at 2011/2012 prices. Costs and health outcomes were discounted at a rate of 3.5 %. Simple and probabilistic sensitivity analyses were undertaken, including additional analyses of Patient Access Scheme (PAS) price discounts offered by the manufacturers of both DPI products. RESULTS: Colistimethate sodium DPI is expected to produce fewer quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs) than nebulised tobramycin. Based on its list price, colistimethate sodium DPI is expected to be dominated by nebulised tobramycin. When the PAS is incorporated, the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) for colistimethate sodium DPI versus nebulised tobramycin is expected to be approximately £288,600 saved per QALY lost. Based on its current list price, the ICER for tobramycin DPI versus nebulised tobramycin is expected to be approximately £124,000 per QALY gained. When the proposed PAS is included, tobramycin DPI is expected to dominate nebulised tobramycin. CONCLUSIONS: Under their list prices, neither DPI product is likely to represent good value for money for the NHS given current cost-effectiveness thresholds. The PAS discounts have a significant impact upon the economic attractiveness of both DPI products compared against nebulised tobramycin. The clinical effectiveness and cost effectiveness of the DPIs against other nebulised antibiotics, such as aztreonam and inhaled colistimethate sodium, remains unclear.

Costo de neumonía nosocomial no asociada a ventilación en el Hospital Universitario de Santander 2007-2009 / Costs associated with nosocomial pneumonia in Universitary Hospital of Santander-Colombia, 2007-2009

Objetivo Estimar el exceso de costos asociado a neumonía nosocomial no asociada a ventilación mecánica y las intervenciones clínicas que más influyen en él. Métodos Se realizó un estudio de cohortes pareadas por tiempo de aparición del evento nosocomial. Los expuestos fueron pacientes con neumonía nosocomial y los no expuestos pacientes sin infección nosocomial, con diagnostico de ingreso similar al expuesto. El principal resultado evaluado en las dos cohortes fueron los costos directos de atención hospitalaria. Resultados El exceso de costo total de atención de una neumonía nosocomial no asociada ventilación fue de $7'771.583,50. (4 200 dólares 2009). Los días de hospitalización en unidad de cuidado intensivo correspondieron al 39 % de los costos totales (mediana $2'980.000,00), los antibióticos aportaron el 33,7 % (mediana $2'571.953,60), la hospitalización en sala general el 19 % (mediana $1'473.760,00), y las valoraciones diarias 4,9 % (mediana $379.937,90). Las demás variables contribuyeron más o menos 1 % (radiografía de tórax, hemocultivos; gases arteriales hemogramas intervenciones quirúrgicas). Conclusiones Se encontró que una neumonía nosocomial no asociada a ventilación mecánica tiene un exceso de costo directo de $7'771.583,50 pesos (4200.80 dólares de 2009).

Objective Estimate the excess of costs associated with nosocomial pneumonia not related to mechanical ventilation and clinical interventions that influence the cost. Methods A paired cohort study by time of occurrence of nosocomial event. The exposed groups were patients with nosocomial pneumonia and unexposed patients without this infection, whose diagnosis by the time of admission into the hospital was similar. The main outcome addressed was the direct costs of hospital care. Results Excess total cost of care associated to nosocomial pneumonia was col $ 7771583,50 (US $4 200, according to equivalence for year 2009). The costs related to intensive care unit explained 39 % of total costs (median col $ 2980000.00), antibiotics caused 33.7 % (median col $ 2571953,60) care in the general ward 19 % (median col $ 1473760,00), and daily medical visits 4.9 % (median col $ 379937,90). Other variables contributed about 1 % (such us X-ray, blood cultures, arterial blood gases, surgical procedures). Conclusions We found that nosocomial pneumonia not associated with mechanical ventilation has a direct cost over col$ 7771583,50 (US $ 4 200 in 2009).

Costs of healthcare- and community-associated infections with antimicrobial-resistant versus antimicrobial-susceptible organisms.

OBJECTIVE: We compared differences in the hospital charges, length of hospital stay, and mortality between patients with healthcare- and community-associated bloodstream infections, urinary tract infections, and pneumonia due to antimicrobial-resistant versus -susceptible bacterial strains. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of an electronic database compiled from laboratory, pharmacy, surgery, financial, and patient location and device utilization sources was undertaken on 5699 inpatients who developed healthcare- or community-associated infections between 2006 and 2008 from 4 hospitals (1 community, 1 pediatric, 2 tertiary/quaternary care) in Manhattan. The main outcome measures were hospital charges, length of stay, and mortality among patients with antimicrobial-resistant and -susceptible infections caused by Staphylococcus aureus, Enterococcus faecium, Enterococcus faecalis, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Acinetobacter baumannii. RESULTS: Controlling for multiple confounders using linear regression and nearest neighbor matching based on propensity score estimates, resistant healthcare- and community-associated infections, when compared with susceptible strains of the same organism, were associated with significantly higher charges ($15,626; confidence interval [CI], $4339-$26,913 and $25,573; CI, $9331-$41,816, respectively) and longer hospital stays for community-associated infections (3.3; CI, 1.5-5.4). Patients with resistant healthcare-associated infections also had a significantly higher death rate (0.04; CI, 0.01-0.08). CONCLUSIONS: With careful matching of patients infected with the same organism, antimicrobial resistance was associated with higher charges, length of stay, and death rates. The difference in estimates after accounting for censoring for death highlight divergent social and hospital incentives in reducing patient risk for antimicrobial resistant infections.

A cost-minimisation analysis comparing different antibiotic regimens used in treating all-cause bacterial pneumonia in Hong Kong.

BACKGROUND: To find out the antibiotic treatment regimens with the lowest cost for all-cause bacterial pneumonia, a study to compare the costs of different antibiotic regimens in the treatment of patients diagnosed with all-cause bacterial pneumonia who required hospitalisation was carried out. METHODOLOGY: This was a multicentre, retrospective study of patient medical records. The primary aim was to examine whether the initial choice of antibiotic had affected the total cost of treatment, while the secondary aim was to find out whether the initial choice of antibiotic had affected the initial treatment failure rates and death rates. A cost-minimisation analysis (CMA) from a public hospital perspective was employed. RESULTS: A total of 333 patient medical case notes were reviewed. The most commonly prescribed antibiotic regimen was amoxycillin-clavulanate (AC) followed by amoxycillin-clavulanate plus macrolide (ACM) and quinolone (Q). In the study population, no statistical significance could be detected between the mean cost of the three regimens. In the subgroup analysis of patients with a history of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and patients with a history of smoking, the Q regimen appeared to be the least expensive. CONCLUSION: In the study population, no significant difference could be identified between the mean cost of the three antibiotic regimens. In a special populations such as patients with a history of COPD and patients with a history of smoking, the Q regimen appeared to be superior. Further studies in these areas are needed.

Treatment failure rates and health care utilization and costs among patients with community-acquired pneumonia treated with levofloxacin or macrolides in an outpatient setting: a retrospective claims database analysis.

BACKGROUND: Macrolide antibiotics and fluoroquinolones are extensively used in the treatment of community-acquired pneumonia (CAP). OBJECTIVE: This analysis was conducted to compare treatment failure rates and health care utilization and cost outcomes among patients with CAP treated with levo-floxacin (500 or 750 mg) or macrolides (azithromycin, clarithromycin, or erythromycin) in an outpatient setting. METHODS: This was a retrospective analysis of claims data from a large US health plan. Patients were aged > or =18 years and had a primary diagnosis of CAP that was treated with oral levofloxacin or a macrolide in an outpatient setting (including physicians' offices, outpatient clinics, urgent care centers, and large ambulatory health centers). Patients were followed for 30 days after the index drug date to measure study outcomes. Multivariate regression analysis and a propensity score technique were used to compare rates of treatment failure and CAP-related health care utilization and costs. Two post hoc subgroup analyses were conducted in patients aged > or =50 and > or =65 years. RESULTS: Of the 7526 patients meeting the inclusion criteria, 2968 (39.4%) were treated with levofloxacin and 4558 (60.6%) with a macrolide. Unadjusted rates of treatment failure were 21.1% and 22.7% in the levofloxacin and macrolide cohorts, respectively. After adjustment for demographic characteristics, baseline comorbidities, and severity of illness, levofloxacin recipients were significantly less likely to experience treatment failure than macrolide recipients (odds ratio [OR] = 0.84; 95% CI, 0.75-0.94, P = 0.003). The likelihood of treatment failure was significantly lower in levofloxacin recipients aged > or =50 years (OR = 0.79; 95% CI, 0.66-0.94; P = 0.007) and > or =65 years (OR = 0.65; 95% CI, 0.43-1.00; P = 0.049) compared with the corresponding subgroups of macrolide recipients. The magnitude of this difference was greatest in the subgroup aged > or =65 years, which had a 35% reduced risk of treatment failure compared with the corresponding group of macrolide-treated patients. The rate of CAP-related emergency department visits was significantly lower among patients receiving levofloxa-cin (OR = 0.68; 95% CI, 0.51-0.91; P = 0.009); there were no differences in CAP-related hospitalizations or total CAP-related health care costs between levofloxa-cin and macrolide recipients. CONCLUSIONS: Multivariate-adjusted rates of treatment failure in outpatients with CAP were significantly lower in those treated with levofloxacin relative to those treated with a macrolide. The lower rates of treatment failure with levofloxacin were consistently observed across all patients and in the subgroups aged > or =50 and > or =65 years. Rates of emergency department visits were also significantly lower among levofloxacin-treated patients, whereas overall CAP-related hospitali-zations and costs did not differ significantly between the 2 treatment groups.

Nosocomial pneumonia: third-group chinolone versus clindamycin/ceftriaxone in modulation of the acute phase reaction and outcome and cost efficacy.

The effect of a third-group chinolone and clindamycin/ceftriaxone regarding outcome of patients with nosocomial pneumonia (NP) and modulation of the acute phase reaction as measured by immunologic parameters were studied in a prospective randomized trial on a surgical intensive care unit (ICU), as well as a comparison of therapy costs. Determination in 18 patients of serum tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha, interleukin (IL)-6, procalcitonin, and endotoxin levels and assessment of clinical outcome of NP were followed by the calculation of therapy costs. Decline in all immunologic parameters between the first and last measurement of each patient was slightly greater for clindamycin patients but statistically significant only for TNF-alpha. One-day therapy costs were 63.5 Euro (chinolone) versus 86.9 Euro (clindamycin/ceftriaxone). There was no difference in the outcome of NP treated with either a third-group chinolone or clindamycin/ceftriaxone.

Clinical and economic outcomes of hospital acquired pneumonia in intra-abdominal surgery patients.

OBJECTIVE: To measure the clinical and economic impact of postoperative hospital-acquired pneumonia (HAP) and to identify risk factors for the development of HAP. SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA: Although postoperative HAP is recognized to be an major risk associated with surgery, little is known about the overall outcomes of patients whose hospital stay is complicated by HAP following surgery. METHODS: We studied 618,495 patients who underwent an intra-abdominal operation from the National Inpatient Sample database over a 1-year period (January 2000 to December 2000) using CPT codes and discharge diagnoses identified by the Clinical Classification Software. Data collected included demographic characteristics, type of operation, in-hospital mortality, discharge disposition, length of stay, and hospital charges. RESULTS: Of the 13,292 patients with HAP following intra-abdominal surgery, 1421 died prior to discharge (mortality = 10.7%) compared with 7217 deaths in the control group of patients without HAP following intra-abdominal surgery (mortality = 1.2%) (P < 0.001). HAP was independently associated with a 4.13-fold (95% confidence interval = 3.94-4.34) increase in risk to be discharged to a skilled nursing facility. The mean length of hospital stay for intra-abdominal patients who developed HAP was significantly greater compared with intra-abdominal surgery patients who did not develop HAP (17.10 days versus 6.07 days, P < 0.001). After adjusting for patient characteristics, HAP was independently associated with a 75% (28,160.95 dollars; 95% confidence interval, 27,543.76 dollars - 28,778.13 dollars) mean increase in total hospital charges. CONCLUSIONS: Given the high incidence and significant impact of HAP on patient outcomes, early preventive strategies and interventions to reduce HAP should be a priority.

Cost-effectiveness analysis of the treatment of ventilator-associated pneumonia with linezolid or vancomycin in Spain.

UNLABELLED: The aim of this study was to assess the cost-effectiveness of linezolid (LIN) versus vancomycin (VAN) for the treatment of ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) using a decision model analysis from the National Health System perspective. Patients and participants comprising four subgroups were analyzed: all, Gram-positive (GP), Staphylococcus aureus (SA), methicillin-resistant SA (MRSA). The treatments were LIN 600 mg i.v., every 12 hours, 10 days and VAN 1,000 mg i.v., every 12 hours 10 days. The primary outcome was the incremental cost-effectiveness of LIN in terms of cost per added quality-adjusted life year (QALY) gained. The secondary outcome was the marginal cost per year of life saved (LYS) generated by using LIN. Clinical cure and survival rates estimates were derived from a retrospective analysis of two trials comparing LIN with VAN. QALY was based on time-trade off study. Resource use and unit costs (Euros 2003) were obtained from Spanish VAP treatment and health cost databases. The additional QALY and LYS per LIN patients were 0.392; 0.688; 0.606; 1.805 and 0.471; 0.829; 0.729; 2.175 respectively, compared with those of VAN in the patients with VAP (all, GP, SA, and MRSA, respectively). The additional costs for LYS with LIN, as compared to VAN were 1,501.31; 827.63; 955.13 and 289.51 Euros, respectively. The additional cost per QALY with LIN was 1,803.87; 997.25; 1,149.00 and 348.85 Euros, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: LIN was more cost-effective than VAN in the treatment of VAP in Spain, with an additional cost per QALY/LYS gained below the acceptable threshold in Spain of Euros 30,000 for new therapies.

Decision analysis of antibiotic and diagnostic strategies in ventilator-associated pneumonia.

The optimal strategy for ventilator-associated pneumonia remains controversial. To clarify the tradeoffs involved, we performed a decision analysis. Strategies evaluated included antibiotic therapy with and without diagnostic testing. Tests that were explored included endotracheal aspirates, bronchoscopy with protected brush or bronchoalveolar lavage, and nonbronchoscopic mini-bronchoalveolar lavage (mini-BAL). Outcomes included dollar cost, antibiotic use, survival, cost-effectiveness, antibiotic use per survivor, and the outcome perspective of financial cost-antibiotic use per survivor. Initial coverage with three antibiotics was better than expectant management or one or two antibiotic approaches, leading to both improved survival (54% vs. 66%) and decreased cost (US dollars 55447 vs. US dollars 41483 per survivor). Testing with mini-BAL did not improve survival but did decrease costs (US dollars 41483 vs. US dollars 39967) and antibiotic use (63 vs. 39 antibiotic days per survivor). From the perspective of minimizing cost, minimizing antibiotic use, and maximizing survival, the best strategy was three antibiotics with mini-BAL.

[Diagnosis and treatment of nosocomial pneumonia: bronchial fibroscopy, protected brushing and/or bronchial lavage is not indispensable]. / Diagnostic et traitement des pneumopathies nosocomiales: une approche par endoscopie, brossage protégé et LBA n'est pas indispensable.

Nosocomial pneumonia in ventilated patients is a frequent and serious complication of ventilatory assistance. The causal role of these lung infections in the overmortality observed in ventilated patients remains a question of debate, but the therapeutic cost (antibiotics and longer stay in intensive care) is considerable. Unlike the spontaneously ventilating patient, fever and new radiologic opacities in ventilated patients can be caused by many non-infectious conditions often concomitant with bacterial pneumonia. The association of clinical signs (fever, purulent tracheal secretions) and laboratory (leukocytosis, leukopenia, hypoxia) or radiographic (recent persistent alveoloar opacities) findings are suggestive of bacterial pneumonia but do not provide bacteriological proof. In order to avoid unjustified treatments (in patients without bacterial pneumonia) or poorly adapted treatments (broad spectrum empiric antibiotics) that can generate high costs in terms of therapy and epidemiology (emergence of resistance), a certain number of fibroscopic techniques have been proposed to improve the diagnosis of nosocomial pneumonia in ventilated patients. These sophisticated and attractive techniques have however provided rather disappointing results and do not allow sufficiently sure positive diagnosis nor bacteriological proof. Moreover, despite their cost and the difficulty of implementing fibroscopic techniques, no reduction in the mortality of nosocomial pneumonia in ventilated patients has been achieved.

Comparison of direct examination of three types of bronchoscopy specimens used to diagnose nosocomial pneumonia.

OBJECTIVE: To compare direct examination of bronchial aspirate and plugged telescopic catheter specimens (PTC) with infected cell counts in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) specimens for the diagnosis of nosocomial pneumonia. DESIGN: Prospective study of critically ill patients. SETTING: Intensive care unit in a university hospital. PATIENTS: A total of 64 patients hospitalized for >48 hrs with suspected nosocomial pneumonia. INTERVENTIONS: Fiberoptic bronchoscopy with bronchial aspirate and quantitative protected specimen brush, PTC, and BAL cultures. PTC and bronchial aspirate specimens were Gram-stained. BAL specimens for infected cell counts were examined as described previously in the literature. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Nosocomial pneumonia was diagnosed by the medical staff based on all available clinical, radiologic, laboratory test, and microbiological data and on the course before and after appropriate therapy. A total of 71% of patients were ventilated, and 70.1% were receiving antibiotics. Nosocomial pneumonia was diagnosed in 54% of the cases. On direct examination, sensitivity (Se) and specificity (Sp) of bronchial aspirate specimens were Se, 82% and Sp, 60%; of BAL with 5% infected cells, Se, 56% and Sp, 100%; of BAL with 3% infected cells, Se, 74% and Sp, 96%; of PTC specimens, Se, 65% and Sp, 76%; and of PTC specimens plus BAL with 3% infected cells, Se, 83% and Sp, 78%. BAL with 3% infected cells was significantly better for predicting nosocomial pneumonia than direct examination of bronchial aspirate or PTC specimens (p = .0012). When the BAL showed 3% infected cells, neither direct examination of bronchial aspirate nor direct examination of PTC specimens was useful (p = .24 and p = .38, respectively). Combined use of direct examination of PTC specimens plus BAL with 3% infected cells markedly improved sensitivity. The total cost of each procedure was taken into account for the final evaluation. CONCLUSIONS: Our data suggest that BAL with 3% infected cells is currently the only test whose predictive value for nosocomial pneumonia is sufficiently high to be of use for guiding the initial choice of antimicrobial class while waiting for quantitative culture results.

[Economic aspects in treatment of cystic fibrosis with chronic pulmonary pseudomonas infection. Ambulatory intravenous therapy in comparison with inpatient treatment]. / Okonomische Aspekte der Behandlung zystischer Fibrose mit chronischer pulmonaler Pseudomonasinfektion. Ambulante intravenöse Therapie im Vergleich zur stationären Behandlung.

BACKGROUND: Due to limited resources within the health service and the continuous discussion on cost containment, economic criteria should also be considered when assessing therapy concepts. Particular results in terms of economic efficiency reserves are to be expected from a transfer of care from the in-patient to the out-patient sector. METHODS: In a prospective, direct cost recording of all relevant uses of resources, the direct and indirect costs of the treatment of 14 patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) were included in the cross-over-design. The quality of life was recorded at least once for each patient using the EuroQol. In-patient intravenous antibiotic therapy carried out during the block of out-patient care served as one of the disqualification criteria when selecting patients. RESULT: Over an observation period of nine months, the average direct cost recorded were DM 35,706 for out-patient and DM 40,143 for in-patient treatment (+15%). As far as indirect costs are concerned, the losses of production in the national economy recorded for in-patient treatment were 80% higher. CONCLUSION: The direct and indirect costs for in-patient CF-therapy are in total higher than for out-patient care. Whether these cost advantages have to be "bought" with lower medical effectiveness needs to be demonstrated by further clinical studies. In the sense of the disease management approach, the results of this study should be used to help rationally weigh up the costs of out-patient care against alternative treatment concepts.

Analysis of charges associated with diagnosis of nosocomial pneumonia: can routine bronchoscopy be justified?

Many ventilated trauma patients thought to have nosocomial pneumonia have pulmonary contusion or systemic inflammatory response syndrome with tracheobronchial colonization. Fiberoptic bronchoscopy with quantitative culture techniques of protected specimen brush (PSB; threshold 10(3) cfu/mL) or bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL; threshold 10(5) cfu/mL) can potentially eliminate the false positive cultures of the upper airway seen with routine sputum aspirates (RS). However, bronchoscopy is expensive, and routine use may not be cost effective. This prospective study evaluated the patient charges associated with bronchoscopy and quantitative cultures compared with RS for the diagnosis of nosocomial pneumonia. Specimens were obtained by RS, PSB, and BAL from the lower airway in 107 trauma patients (136 sets of triplicate cultures). All patients had clinical evidence suggestive of pneumonia (fever, leukocytosis, purulent sputum, abnormal roentgenographic findings). Typical oral flora were considered contaminants; no gram-negative specimens were excluded. Mean age was 40 years and mean ISS was 29. Seventy-eight percent had blunt injuries, 22% penetrating, and 42% had chest injuries. The incidence of nosocomial pneumonia according to each method was: RS-73%; PSB-34%; BAL-25%. Considering all charges involved (bronchoscopy, equipment, microbiologic analysis, and antibiotics), and based on a 14-day course of ceftazidime and vancomycin, the charges for PSB were 58% of RS, and charges for BAL were 43% of RS. We conclude that the charges associated with bronchoscopy are high, but can be offset by antibiotic savings. Side effects of unnecessary antibiotic therapy would be avoided. Further study is needed to determine the efficacy of PSB or BAL in trauma patients.