Researchers found the methodologies used to determine length of hospital stays from infections vary considerably, according to a study published in Antimicrobial Resistance and Infection Control.
For the study, researchers analyzed previously published studies on C. difficile to determine the methodologies used to determine "excess" hospital stays and differences in hospital stays between infected patients and unaffected patients.
Findings from their research showed the difference in hospital stays for infected and unaffected patients ranged from 2.8 days to 16.1 days, suggesting current methodologies may unnecessarily inflate or underestimate the real impact of infections on hospital stays.
For the study, researchers analyzed previously published studies on C. difficile to determine the methodologies used to determine "excess" hospital stays and differences in hospital stays between infected patients and unaffected patients.
Findings from their research showed the difference in hospital stays for infected and unaffected patients ranged from 2.8 days to 16.1 days, suggesting current methodologies may unnecessarily inflate or underestimate the real impact of infections on hospital stays.
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