Research Methods in Healthcare Epidemiology and Antimicrobial Stewardship—Observational Studies. (20th June 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Snyder, Graham M.; Young, Heather; Varman, Meera; Milstone, Aaron M.; Harris, Anthony D.; Munoz-Price, Silvia
• Is Part Of: Infection control and hospital epidemiology. Volume 37:Number 10(2016)
• Page Start: 1141
• Page End: 1146
• Publication Date: 2016-06-20
• Subjects: Nosocomial infections -- Epidemiology -- Periodicals; Health facilities -- Sanitation -- Periodicals; Hospital buildings -- Sanitation -- Periodicals; Cross Infection -- Periodicals; Epidemiology -- Periodicals; Hospitals -- Periodicals; Infection Control -- Periodicals; 614.44
• DOI: 10.1017/ice.2016.118
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0899-823X

Abstract

Abstract : Observational studies compare outcomes among subjects with and without an exposure of interest, without intervention from study investigators. Observational studies can be designed as a prospective or retrospective cohort study or as a case-control study. In healthcare epidemiology, these observational studies often take advantage of existing healthcare databases, making them more cost-effective than clinical trials and allowing analyses of rare outcomes. This paper addresses the importance of selecting a well-defined study population, highlights key considerations for study design, and offers potential solutions including biostatistical tools that are applicable to observational study designs. Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol 2016;1–6