PROSPECTIVE SURVEY OF THE INCIDENCE RISK-FACTORS AND OUTCOME OF HOSPITAL-ACQUIRED INFECTIONS IN THE ELDERLY

Four hundred and thirty-six patient admissions to either an acute asse ssment or a rehabilitation ward for the care of the elderly were studi ed. A total of 113 episodes fitting the definition of a hospital-acqui red infection (HAI) occurred in 81 (18.5%) of admissions. The global i nfection rate was 10.8 per 1000 patient bed days and did not differ be tween the wards. The chest and urinary tract were the commonest sites of infection, and 26 patients appeared to be infected at more than one site. The majority of first infections occurred within 14 days of adm ission. Median length of stay for patients with one or more infective episodes was significantly longer than for those who did not develop a n HAI. The presence of an HAI, multiple-site infections and chest infe ctions were significantly associated with fatal outcome. HAI occurs co mmonly in elderly patients and is associated with prolonged hospital s tay and increased mortality.