Burden of healthcare-associated infections in Italy: incidence, attributable mortality and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) from a nationwide study, 2016. (July 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Bordino, V.; Vicentini, C.; D'Ambrosio, A.; Quattrocolo, F.; Zotti, C.M.; Novati, R.; Sticchi, C.; Bersani, M.; Fedeli, U.; Fabbri, L.; Brusaferro, S.; Moro, M.L.; Ricchizzi, E.; Poli, A.; Giovannini, G.; D'Errico, M.; Puro, V.; Parruti, G.; Ripabelli, G.; Sarnelli, B.; Prato, R.; Pavia, M.; Agodi, A.; Mura, I.
• Is Part Of: Journal of hospital infection. Volume 113(2021)
• Page Start: 164
• Page End: 171
• Publication Date: 2021-07
• Subjects: DALY -- Burden -- Healthcare-associated infections -- Italy; Cross infection -- Periodicals; Cross infection -- Prevention -- Periodicals; Nosocomial infections -- Periodicals; Nosocomial infections -- Prevention -- Periodicals; Cross Infection -- Periodicals; Cross Infection -- prevention & control -- Periodicals; Infection Control -- Periodicals; Electronic journals; 614.44
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jhin.2021.04.023
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0195-6701

Abstract

Summary: Background: Healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) are an increasing public health threat. Measuring disease burden in disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs) allows the combination of morbidity and mortality into one figure, as it represents the summation of years lived with disability and years of life lost. Aim: To evaluate the incidence, attributable deaths and burden of the most significant HAIs in Italy. Methods: Prevalence data from the study sample of the 2016 national Point Prevalence Survey of HAIs in acute-care settings were used to estimate the incidence of five HAIs. The methodology from the Burden of Communicable Diseases in Europe (BCoDE)-project was employed for DALY calculations, adapting the disease models to the Italian population. Findings: We estimated a total of 641, 065 (95% uncertainty interval, UI 585, 543.00–699, 207.90) new yearly cases of HAIs and 29, 375 (95% UI 23, 705.97–35, 905.80) deaths in Italy in 2016. The total annual DALYs were estimated to be 424, 657.45 (95% UI 346, 240.35–513, 357.28), corresponding to 702.53 DALYs (95% UI 575.22–844.66) per 100, 000 general population. Bloodstream infections accounted for the majority of total DALYs (59%), healthcare-associated pneumonia for 29%, surgical site infections for 9%, CDI for 2% and urinary tract infections accounted for less than 1% of total DALYs. Conclusion: Results of this study suggest HAIs have a substantial burden in Italy. Reducing the burden of HAIs through infection prevention and control efforts is an achievable goal. This study provides data that could be used to guide policy-makers in the implementation of these measures.