Data Mining Useful in Preventing Death by Nosocomial Infection

Research results suggest linking the microbiological database with the hospital mortality database could serve as a tool for measuring and reducing the number of deaths caused by nosocomial infection, according to a study published in American Journal of Infection Control.

From Sept. 2006-Sept. 2007, researchers recorded 1,726 hospital deaths. A computer algorithm was used in a bacteriology database to find 6,290 potential nosocomial infections. Forms were then sent to physicians to determine whether the potential infection was in fact an infection, colonization or non-nosocomial infection. Of 364 cases common to both mortality and bacteriology databases, a hospital infection expert analyzed 135 cases.

Results showed of the 135 cases, nosocomial infection was the main cause of death in six cases (4.4 percent) and a contributing factor in 51 (37.8 percent). Overall, nosocomial infection was estimated to be the main cause of death in 0.9 percent of patients who died in the hospital and a contributing cause in another 8.0 percent of patients.

Read the study about nosocomial infection linked to mortality.

Read other coverage about nosocomial infection:

- Transfer Patterns, Transfer Rates Do Not Affect Transmission of MRSA

- Environmental Contamination Possible Culprit for MRSA Transmission