RESUMO
OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the length of stay, total medical expenditure, cost of antibiotics for nosocomial infections (NIs) and NI fatality rate of elderly patients admitted to Inburi Hospital. MATERIAL AND METHOD: A descriptive study, data from analyzing NI surveillance forms of 50 elderly patients admitted to Inburi Hospital with NI from February to May 2002. RESULTS: The average length of stay of the samples was 22.9 days, medical expenditure was 67,265 baht per patient, cost of antimicrobial drugs was 9,128.90 baht per patient and case fatality rate was 42%. CONCLUSION: The study revealed that NI in the elderly were associated with increased length of stay, costs of antimicrobial agents, total medical expenditure and a high case fatality rate.