IRRAS Radio

IRRAS Radio
IRRAS Radio

The IRRAS Radio podcast provides an informative exploration of cutting-edge technology in the neurocritical care space. Host, John Unser, interviews thought-leaders from around the world to discuss; current treatment options for intracranial bleeding and traumatic brain injury, product reviews, and personal clinical experience.

Episodes

  1. 08/05/2020

    Episode 2: Insightful Discussion about Health Care Costs Due to EVD Infections

    Neurosurgeon Dr. Kurt Yaeger, from Mt. Sinai Hospital in New York, New York, shares insight to being a healthcare worker on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic and provides an overview of his recent publication in World Neurosurgery, Patterns of Health Care Costs Due to External Ventricular Drain Infections. Additional Information about this study can be found below. Background: External ventricular drain (EVD) infections are a significant cause of morbidity among neurosurgical patients and have been correlated with increased length of hospital stay and longer requirements for intensive care. To date, no studies have examined the financial impact of EVD infections. Methods: Patients who underwent EVD placement between December 2010 and January 2016 were included in the study. Clinical records were retrospectively reviewed and health care cost data were obtained from the hospital's finance department. Clinical information included patient demographics, details from the hospital course, and outcomes. Total costs, direct/indirect, and fixed/variable costs were analyzed for every patient. Results: Over the 5-year study period, 246 EVDs were placed in 243 patients with an overall infection rate of 9.9% (N = 24). The median EVD duration for infected versus noninfected patients was 19 and 9 days, respectively (P 0.0001). Median length of intensive care unit stay also was increased for patients with EVD infection (30 days vs. 13 days, P 0.0001). Total health care costs were significantly greater for infected patients (US$ 168,692 vs. US$ 83,919, P 0.0001). This trend was comparable for all other cost subtypes, including fixed-direct costs, fixed-indirect costs, variable direct costs, and variable-indirect costs. Conclusions: EVD infection has a substantial effect on clinical morbidity and healthcare costs. These results demonstrate the imperative need to improve EVD infection prevention, particularly in the setting of a value-based health care system.

    14 min

Ratings & Reviews

4.8
out of 5
12 Ratings

About

The IRRAS Radio podcast provides an informative exploration of cutting-edge technology in the neurocritical care space. Host, John Unser, interviews thought-leaders from around the world to discuss; current treatment options for intracranial bleeding and traumatic brain injury, product reviews, and personal clinical experience.

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