In April 2021, The Journal of Patient Safety published Cost of Health Care–Associated Infections in the United States, a retrospective study analyzing data from the Agency for Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project’s 2016 National Inpatient Sample—the largest all-payer U.S. inpatient database.
The study analyzed data surrounding:
• Catheter-associated urinary tract infections
• Catheter- and line-associated blood stream infections
• Surgical site infections (SSIs)
• Ventilator-associated pneumonias
• Infection with Clostridioides difficile (C-diff, CDI)
According to its findings, the most common hospital-acquired infection (HAI) among admissions with primary HAI diagnosis was surgical site infections, at a cost of 3.7 billion USD. CDI and SSI accounted for 79% of the cost of HAI in the U.S.
The cost of hospital-acquired infections can be astronomical for hospitals. In its mission to support caregivers and protect patients, TIDI offers product solutions and clinical education to help prevent surgical site infections.
SOURCES:
Cost of Health Care–Associated Infections in the United States, Forrester, Joseph D. MD, MSc; Maggio, Paul M. MD, MBA; Tennakoon, Lakshika MSc, MPh, Journal of Patient Safety: April 13, 2021