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"CLABSI and non-CLABSI HOB cases are associated with significant increases in morbidity, mortality, and cost. Our data may help inform prevention and management of bloodstream infections" Yu et al (2023).
CLABSI HAI cost in US hospitals

Abstract:

Objectives: To compare characteristics and outcomes associated with central-line-associated bloodstream infections (CLABSIs) and electronic health record-determined hospital-onset bacteremia and fungemia (HOB) cases in hospitalized US adults.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective observational study of patients in 41 acute-care hospitals. CLABSI cases were defined as those reported to the National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN). HOB was defined as a positive blood culture with an eligible bloodstream organism collected during the hospital-onset period (ie, on or after day 4). We evaluated patient characteristics, other positive cultures (urine, respiratory, or skin and soft-tissue), and microorganisms in a cross-sectional analysis cohort. We explored adjusted patient outcomes [length of stay (LOS), hospital cost, and mortality] in a 1:5 case-matched cohort.

Results: The cross-sectional analysis included 403 patients with NHSN-reportable CLABSIs and 1,574 with non-CLABSI HOB. A positive non-bloodstream culture with the same microorganism as in the bloodstream was reported in 9.2% of CLABSI patients and 32.0% of non-CLABSI HOB patients, most commonly urine or respiratory cultures. Coagulase-negative staphylococci and Enterobacteriaceae were the most common microorganisms in CLABSI and non-CLABSI HOB cases, respectively. In case-matched analyses, CLABSIs and non-CLABSI HOB, separately or combined, were associated with significantly longer LOS [difference, 12.1-17.4 days depending on intensive care unit (ICU) status], higher costs (by $25,207-$55,001 per admission), and a >3.5-fold increased risk of mortality in patients with an ICU encounter.

Conclusions: CLABSI and non-CLABSI HOB cases are associated with significant increases in morbidity, mortality, and cost. Our data may help inform prevention and management of bloodstream infections.

Reference:

Yu KC, Jung M, Ai C. Characteristics, costs, and outcomes associated with central-line-associated bloodstream infection and hospital-onset bacteremia and fungemia in US hospitals. Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol. 2023 Jul 10:1-7. doi: 10.1017/ice.2023.132. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 37424226.