Importance of nondrug costs of intravenous antibiotic therapy

Total costs of IV antibiotic administration are formed not only by the costs of the drugs themselves, but also, to a substantial degree, by the time expended by medical and nursing staff, costs of disposable materials and overhead costs. Physicians making decisions regarding the use of specific medications in intensive care unit patients should take these factors into account. Use of IV antibiotics is associated with considerable workload and additional costs that can exceed the acquisition costs of the medications themselves.