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
