[Healthcare-associated infections in Stockholm County Council 2008-2018]

Healthcare-associated infections (HAI) are the most common adverse events in healthcare. The aim of this study was to explore the prevalence of HAI and associated risk factors among in-patients in somatic care in Stockholm County Council (SCC) 2008-2018. In each yearly point prevalence survey 3200-3800 patients were registered. Epi Info™ software was used for statistical analysis. There were significant decreases in prevalence of HAI 15.3-7.3% (RR 0.47 [95% CI 0.41-0.54] p<0.01), indwelling urinary catheter (IUC) 24.3-21.7% (RR 0.89 [95% CI 0.82-0.97] p=0.01) and central venous catheter 13.8-10.7% (RR 0.78 [95% CI 0.69-0.88] p<0.01). Among carriers of IUC there was a significant decrease in prevalence of urinary tract infection 11.4-4.1% (RR 0.36 [95% CI 0.22-0.59] p<0.01). After analyzing potential confounders we believe that the improvement is true. Repeated point prevalence surveys could have contributed to raising awareness about HAI.