Table 2

Daily costs of six antibiotics intravenously administered by syringe pump

Antibiotic

Dose (mg)

Dosages (n)

Drug costs (€) (A)

Average time (min:s)

Staff costs (€) (B)

Material costs (€) (C)

Administration costs (€) (B + C)

Total daily costs (€) (A + B + C)

Amoxicillin/clavulanic acid

1000/200

3

07.35

12:21

03.99

04.35

08.34

15.69

Cefotaxim

1000

4

49.40

18:48

06.08

05.80

11.88

61.28

Erythromycin

1000

4

54.44

36:44

11.88

05.80

17.68

72.12

Gentamicin

320

1

20.34

03:39

01.18

01.45

02.63

22.97*

Metronidazole

500

3

12.24

05:24

01.74

04.35

06.09

18.33

Piperacillin/tazobactam

2250

3

43.14

16:31

05.40

04.35

09.75

52.89

Data presented are the medication costs, the time expenditure required, the staff wage and the disposable material costs for each of the antibiotics per day administrated via syringe pump. The figures quoted refer to the total time for preparation and administration of each medication per day, averaged over wards and indications studied. Costs are based on list prices provided by Dutch health care authorities [17]. *If therapeutic drug monitoring costs for gentamicin based on 24-hourly intervals would be included, the total costs would be €58.97 per day.

van Zanten et al. Critical Care 2003 7:R184   doi:10.1186/cc2388