Costs associated with tuberculosis control programs at hospitals caring for children

OBJECTIVE.No data are available on the costs of implementing infection control measures for the control of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) in pediatric settings. In this study we determined the cost of MTB control measures at three hospitals caring for children. DESIGN.Infection control and tuberculosis (TB) coordinators obtained cost data retrospectively for the years 1994 to 1995 for tuberculin skin test programs, respiratory protection programs and the retrofit or new construction of environmental controls in pediatric settings. SETTING.Two pediatric hospitals and one pediatric ward in a large tertiary care hospital. RESULTS.Total expenditures for TB controls ranged from $15 270 to $28 158 for the 2-year study period. Engineering controls involved the largest capital outlay at two of three facilities. Average yearly tuberculin skin test costs ranged from $949 to $12 504/hospital. Respiratory protection programs cost from $480 to $1680 during the 2-year study period. CONCLUSIONS.Costs associated with implementing control measures varied slightly by hospital but were less than those incurred by hospitals caring for adults. These costs represent improvements made to upgrade selected aspects of hospital TB control programs, not the cost of an optimal TB control program. Optimal TB control programs in pediatric settings have yet to be described.