Healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic: A time-series analysis. Issue 1 (17th January 2023)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Sahrmann, John M.; Nickel, Katelin B.; Stwalley, Dustin; Dubberke, Erik R.; Lyons, Patrick G.; Michelson, Andrew P.; McMullen, Kathleen M.; Gandra, Sumanth; Olsen, Margaret A.; Kwon, Jennie H.; Burnham, Jason P.
• Is Part Of: Antimicrobial stewardship & healthcare epidemiology. Volume 3:Issue 1(2023)
• Publication Date: 2023-01-17
• Subjects: Anti-infective agents -- Periodicals; Nosocomial infections -- Prevention -- Periodicals; Epidemiology -- Periodicals; 614.44
• DOI: 10.1017/ash.2022.361
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2732-494X

Abstract

Abstract: Objective: To use interrupted time-series analyses to investigate the impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on healthcare-associated infections (HAIs). We hypothesized that the pandemic would be associated with higher rates of HAIs after adjustment for confounders. Design: We conducted a cross-sectional study of HAIs in 3 hospitals in Missouri from January 1, 2017, through August 31, 2020, using interrupted time-series analysis with 2 counterfactual scenarios. Setting: The study was conducted at 1 large quaternary-care referral hospital and 2 community hospitals. Participants: All adults ≥18 years of age hospitalized at a study hospital for ≥48 hours were included in the study. Results: In total, 254, 792 admissions for ≥48 hours occurred during the study period. The average age of these patients was 57.6 (±19.0) years, and 141, 107 (55.6%) were female. At hospital 1, 78 CLABSIs, 33 CAUTIs, and 88 VAEs were documented during the pandemic period. Hospital 2 had 13 CLABSIs, 6 CAUTIs, and 17 VAEs. Hospital 3 recorded 11 CLABSIs, 8 CAUTIs, and 11 VAEs. Point estimates for hypothetical excess HAIs suggested an increase in all infection types across facilities, except for CLABSIs and CAUTIs at hospital 1 under the "no pandemic" scenario. Conclusions: The COVID-19 era was associated with increases in CLABSIs, CAUTIs, and VAEs at 3 hospitals in Missouri, with variations in significance by hospital and infection type. Continued vigilance in maintaining optimal infection prevention practices to minimize HAIs is warranted.