The aftermath of SARS-CoV-2 in NICU: saving or checking accounts? Projected cost-effectiveness analysis.

ABSTRACT

In the aftermath of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, we revised the cost-effectiveness of the exploited interventions in neonatal intensive care unit, to redefine future strategies for hospital management. Costs were revised with respect to the lockdown R0 or under different R0 scenarios to estimate the cost-effectiveness of the screening program adopted. Weekly nasopharyngeal swabs for parents, neonates, and personnel were the major cost during the pandemic, although they effectively reduced the number of cases in our unit.Conclusion: Parents and healthcare personnel testing appears to be an effective strategy due to the high number of contact they have within the hospital environment and outside, able to minimize the cases within our unit. What is Known • Costs of universal COVID-19 tests for parents, neonates, and NICU personnel have not been evaluated during the COVID-19 pandemic in neonatal intensive care unit in Europe. What is New • Weekly nasopharyngeal swabs for parents, neonates, and personnel were the major cost during the COVID-19 pandemic in NICU. • Parents and healthcare personnel testing was effective to reduce costs related to COVID-19 due to the high number of contact they have within the hospital environment and outside.