Similar to sepsis, Clostridium difficile and surgical site infections, central line-associated bloodstream infections are frequently linked to readmissions, according to research published in Infection Control & Hospital Epidemiology.
Researchers compared the rate of readmissions among patients with and without a CLABSI during an index hospitalization using National Healthcare Safety Network surveillance and CMS' Medical Provider and Analysis Review in eight states from 2008 to 2009.
Out of 8,097 patients, 2,260 (or 27.9 percent) were readmitted within 30 days.
Highlighted below are three findings from the retrospective cohort study.
1. The rate of first readmission was 7.1 events per person-year for CLABSI patients and 4.3 events per person-year for non-CLABSI patients.
2. The study also revealed a small but significant increase in the rate of 30-day readmissions for patients with a CLABSI compared with similar non-CLABSI patients.
3. Among CLABSI patients readmitted to the hospital for the first time, the researchers also observed an increase in diagnostic categories consistent with CLABSI, including septicemia and complications of a device.
"Our analysis found a statistically significant association between CLABSI status and readmission, suggesting that CLABSI may have adverse health impact that extends beyond hospital discharge," wrote the study authors.
More articles on CLABSIs:
50 statistics on state CLABSI rates
Johns Hopkins CLABSI intervention bundle reduces infections in Abu Dhabi
Parkland slashes CLABSI, CAUTI, SSI rates through HAI reduction program