A systematic scoping review of the cost-impact of ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) intervention bundles in intensive care.

Background: Evidence-based economic decision making is key in health care. Presently, however, studies reporting financial outcomes of ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) care bundles have not been systematically evaluated.

Method: This scoping review investigated the characteristics and findings of studies of the economic impact of VAP bundle implementation. A systematic search of electronic databases (MEDLINE, CINAHL) for relevant English language studies was undertaken (January 2000-February 2020). Methodological quality was evaluated using a Joanna Briggs Institute quality appraisal checklist. Article screening and quality appraisals were performed by 2 reviewers. Reference lists of included studies were hand-searched for additional articles. Reporting followed PRISMA Extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR) standards.

Results: From 181 citations, 10 articles met inclusion criteria. Eight studies evaluated cost impacts on acute care and there were 2 cost-modeling studies. Results consistently indicated that effective VAP bundle implementation decreased healthcare costs. However, studies were heterogeneous with respect to research methods and objectives and were judged to have a moderate-to-high risk of bias.

Discussion: Effective implementation of VAP care bundles was associated with superior clinical and economic outcomes. However, despite finding a moderate volume of research, study heterogeneity inhibited strong conclusions being drawn regarding the degree of associated cost savings.

Conclusion: Additional research involving multisite/multijurisdiction studies using experimental designs are needed to progress the field and overcome gaps in the existing literature.