[Excess length of stay attributable to nosocomial bacteremia: usefulness of the Hospitalization Appropriateness Protocol].
BACKGROUND
To evaluate the usefulness of the Appropriateness Evaluation Protocol (AEP) for assessing the extra length of stay attributable to nosocomial bacteremia.


METHODS
Retrospective review of the medical records (1989, 1990 and 1991) of all patients, who developed Staphylococcus aureus nosocomial bacteremia. Evaluation of hospital stay was performed using the AEP. Calculation of the kappa index and intraclass correlation coefficient.


RESULTS
A total of 158 patients were included S. aureus nosocomial bacteremia is responsible for a mean excess length of stay of 4.3 days per patient. Kappa index for the method used was 76%, and intraclass correlation coefficient was 61%.


CONCLUSIONS
The AEP has been shown to be a reliable tool for assessing the extra days of stay attributable to nosocomial bacteremia in the Spanish National Health System. The use of AEP should be extended to assess the extra stay attributable to other types of nosocomial infections.
Vilella
A
A
Servei de Medicina Preventiva, Hospital Clínic, Facultat de Medicina, Universitat de Barcelona. vilella@medicina.ub.es
Prat
A
A
Trilla
A
A
Bayas
J M
JM
Asenjo
M A
MA
Salleras
L
L
D000328:Adult; D003428:Cross Infection / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D006296:Health Services / Q000191:economics / Q000592:standards*; D006801:Humans; D007902:Length of Stay / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013030:Spain; D013203:Staphylococcal Infections / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000628:therapy