title: Characteristics of healthcare-associated infections contributing to unexpected in-hospital deaths.
abstract: We reviewed the medical records of all the patients who died in our hospital during the period from 2004 through 2008 to determine the contribution of healthcare-associated infections to mortality. Of the 179 unexpected in-hospital deaths during that period, 55 (31%) were related to 69 healthcare-associated infections. The most common healthcare-associated infection was central line-associated bloodstream infection, and the most common organisms identified were members of the Enterobacteriaceae family. Overall, 45% of bacterial isolates were multidrug resistant.
authors.affiliation: Veterans Affairs Maryland Health Care System, Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore, Maryland 21201, USA. dmorgan@epi.umaryland.edu
authors.forename: Daniel J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Morgan
authors.forename: Lucia L
authors.initials: LL
authors.lastname: Lomotan
authors.forename: Kathleen
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Agnes
authors.forename: Linda
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: McGrail
authors.forename: Mary-Claire
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Roghmann
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D016470:Bacteremia / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology / Q000401:mortality*; D002405:Catheterization, Central Venous / Q000009:adverse effects; D003428:Cross Infection / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology / Q000401:mortality* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D024901:Drug Resistance, Multiple, Bacterial; D004755:Enterobacteriaceae / Q000187:drug effects / Q000302:isolation & purification; D004756:Enterobacteriaceae Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology / Q000401:mortality*; D005260:Female; D017052:Hospital Mortality; D006787:Hospitals, Veterans; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008396:Maryland; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents