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HAIs increase risk for 30-day, 1-year mortality
Patients with hospital-associated infections had an increased risk for death at 30 days and 1 year, with bloodstream infections and lower respiratory tract infections carrying a greater risk than other hospital-associated infections, according to recent research.
“We found that [hospital-associated infections (HAIs)] have severe consequences for patients,” researchers from the University of Bergen, Norway, wrote in their study. “[Bloodstream infections (BSIs)], [lower respiratory tract infections (LRTIs)] or more than one simultaneous HAI were independently and strongly associated with increased mortality 30 days and 1 year after inclusion in the study.”
To assess the impact of HAIs on mortality, the researchers conducted a cross-sectional study that included 19,468 patients from Haukeland University Hospital, a combined emergency and referral teaching hospital in Bergen. Data on HAIs — including UTIs, BSIs and surgical site infections (SSIs) — were collected four times per year between 2004 and 2011. The researchers also analyzed data on mortality, date of birth, hospital admission and discharge, and the number of diagnoses based on ICD-10 codes.
Results showed that the overall prevalence of HAIs at the hospital was 8.5% (95% CI, 8.1-8.9), and that the prevalence of the most common HAIs was 2.2% (95% CI, 2-2.4) for LRTI, 1.6% (95% CI, 1.4-1.8) for SSI, 2.1% (95% CI, 1.9-2.3) for UTI and 0.5% (95% CI, 0.4-0.6) for BSI. Regarding mortality, patients with an HAI had an increased likelihood of mortality at 30 days (adjusted HR = 1.5; 95% CI, 1.3-1.8) and 1 year (aHR = 1.4; 95% CI, 1.2-1.5), according to the researchers. Specifically, patients with BSI had the highest risk for mortality, with LRTI patients showing the second greatest risk. A subgroup analysis suggested that patients with simultaneous HAIs also were at greater risk.
“Routinely collected prevalence surveillance data, integrated with patient administrative system, is of great value as a basis for studying long-term consequences of HAIs,” the researchers concluded. – by Jeff Craven
Disclosure: The researchers report no relevant financial disclosures.