[Costs associated with nosocomial pneumonia in Universitary Hospital of Santander-Colombia, 2007-2009].

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).