OBJECTIVES: To determine the comparative cost and consequences of antibiotic coated CVC versus a non-antibiotic coated CVC based on comparative clinical outcomes in China.

METHODS: A decision tree was conceptualized with CRBSI episodes per 1000 catheter days to measure the impact of the antibiotic coated vs non-coated CVC in China. Input parameters to populate the model used 1 CRBBSI episodic cost, incidence of CRBSI in coated CVC and pooled CRBSI incidence in non-coated CVC and indwelling period in coated, non-coated CVC respectively to estimate total cost due to CRBSI in coated vs non-coated respectively. Inclusion of input parameters such as cost of device and indwelling periods in coated and non-coated device was incorporated to do budget impact analysis to make a comparison in cost between two arms for 1000 catheter days.

RESULTS: The overall cost due to CRBSI in coated and non-coated CVC was CNY 2,12,380.99 and CNY 25,9686 respectively with percentage saving of 30.28% in antibiotic coated CVC owing to reduced CRBSI incidence rate. From a budget impact perspective savings of 18.22% was observed with an overall cost incurred of CNY 141459 and CNY 204072 in coated and non-coated CVC respectively. The savings were primarily driven by the reduced number of CRBSI episodes in antibiotic coated CVCs and the overall budget impact from shifting from the usage of non-antibiotic coated CVC to an antibiotic coated CVC was negative.

CONCLUSIONS: Antibiotic coated CVC is cost effective and has a favorable budget impact for consideration in clinical use in China.