Study of the direct medical economic burden of patients with healthcare- associated infection based on DRGs matching

To discuss the direct economic burden of healthcare-associated infection (HAI) in a hospital in Chengdu. All patients enrolled in the Diagnosis Related Groups (DRGs) comprehensive evaluation and management system from January 1 to December 31, 2023, were categorized into healthcare-associated infection (HAI) and non-HAI groups. A 1:1 case matching was performed based on DRG classification, sex, and age (± 5 years). Differences in direct medical costs and length of stay (LOS) between the two groups were compared, followed by a subgroup analysis of infection-related economic burden across diagnostic categories. 726 pairs of HAI cases and non-HAI cases were successfully matched. The direct cost of the HAI group was CNY 16,251.63 higher than the non-HAI group (1.91 times higher, P  < 0.001). The length of hospital stay in the HAI group was 10 days longer (1.71 times higher, P  < 0.001), with significant cost increases in treatment fees and Western medicine ( P  < 0.001). Among all Major Diagnostic Categories (MDCs), the infection and parasitic diseases group incurred the largest economic burden. For HAI patients with sepsis or severe sepsis requiring ≥ 96 hours of mechanical ventilation, the total cost was CNY 80,162.31 higher than non-HAI patients ( P  = 0.003), and hospitalization duration increased by 17.5 days ( P  = 0.003). In conclusion, implementing scientifically classified DRGs in HAI management provides a strategic framework for advancing precision-oriented healthcare administration.