Page 16 - Insurance Times January 2018 Sample

Cover Story

IMPACT OF

HEALTHCARE

ACQUIRED

INFECTIONS ON

LENGTH OF STAY AND

TREATMENT COSTS

Abstract
Healthcare-associated infections (HCAI) are infections that patients acquire during the course of receiving treatment
for other conditions within a healthcare setting. HCAI are preventable complications occurring with varying but with
significant frequency. HCAI are preventable complications which adversely affect the Length of Stay (LOS), morbidity
and mortality of the patients.

A review of literature was undertaken to find the magnitude of the reported incidence rate, LOS, morbidity & mortality
rates reported in literature.
HCAI have been reported to have an average incidence rate of 10.8 % (3.9 % to 34 %.). In high income countries
approximately 30% of ICU patients are affected by at least one HCAI.
Additional length of stay in HCAI varies from 9.3 days to 23 days in different studies. Patients with HCAI accounted for
20.2% of the total bed days while 79.8 % bed days were accounted for patients without HCAI. Re-admission rates were
also found to be higher in patients with HCAI (26%) as compared to patients without HCAI (19.6%).

A 30 day mortality rate in Clostridium difficile infection is
About the author estimated to vary from 3%-30% in different countries. 90-
day mortality rate in hospitalized older adults rose from
Prof. Dr. Bharat S. Powdwal
33.2%-49.4% in cases with bloodstream infection. One
MS, MBA, Professor Symbiosis Institute of Health Sciences, year mortality was 15.2% in patients without HAI as
Dr. Tulna Jaiswal compared to 24.5% in patients with HAI. The extra
MBBS, MBA HHM Student Symbiosis Institute of Health mortality due to HCAI was 9.3%.
Sciences
Common HCAI are Catheter Associated Urinary Tract
Dr. Sharvari Shukla Infections, Central Venous Catheter Associated Blood
Dr. Biranchi Jena Stream Infections, Ventilator Associated Pneumonia and

16 The Insurance Times, January 2018

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