Manns, Braden J.Rennert-May, Elissa2019-05-062019-05-062019-04-30Rennert-May, E. (2019). A Cost-effectiveness analysis of a decolonization protocol for Staphylococcus aureus prior to hip and knee arthroplasty in Alberta, Canada (Master's thesis, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada). Retrieved from https://prism.ucalgary.ca.http://hdl.handle.net/1880/110304There are over 100,000 knee/hip replacements yearly in Canada. While these procedures improve mobility and quality of life, approximately 1% develop complex surgical site infections (SSIs) after surgery. Detailed costing analysis of these infections, particularly in Canada, is lacking. We assessed incidence and cost of complex SSIs following primary hip/knee arthroplasty in patients across Alberta. We then evaluated the cost-effectiveness of an evidence-based decolonization protocol in patients prior to hip/knee arthroplasty in Alberta, compared with standard care (no decolonization) using decision analysis. Among 24,667 operations, 1.04% developed a complex SSI. The most common causative pathogen was Staphylococcus aureus (38%). Mean first-year costs for the infected and non-infected cohort were CAN $95,321 (IQR49,623 – 120,636) and $19,893 (IQR12,610 – 19,723), respectively. The decolonization protocol was associated with lower risk of complex SSI and cost savings of $153/person. A decolonization protocol should be considered for implementation in Alberta to reduce infections and save costs.engUniversity of Calgary graduate students retain copyright ownership and moral rights for their thesis. You may use this material in any way that is permitted by the Copyright Act or through licensing that has been assigned to the document. For uses that are not allowable under copyright legislation or licensing, you are required to seek permission.Education--HealthEconomicsmaster thesis10.11575/PRISM/36480