Healthcare-associated infections in a long-term care hospital: A three-year point-prevalence study

To assess the prevalence of Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAIs) acquired during hospitalization in a long-term care (LTC) hospital during three periods and identify associated factors.

An observational, cross-sectional study had been conducted in 2019, 2021, and 2023 that included 380 patients. Data collected encompassed demographics, presence of risk factors (pressure sores, catheters, surgery), and HAIs acquired in the current hospitalization. Global and per location HAI was determined, and bivariate and a multiple logistic regression model was constructed to explore the association between the studied variables and infection.

The median age varied depending on the year of the survey between 77 and 80.5 years, and the proportion of female patients increased each edition. Length of stay peaked in 2021 (43.5 days), and risk factors in 2023. HAIs prevalences were 8.4% (2019), 10.7% (2021), and 5.6% (2023). Respiratory tract infection was the most frequent globally (34.4%), in 2019 (35.7%) and 2023 (50.0%), followed by urinary tract infection. Globally, HAI and any risk factor (OR: 3.8, 95% CI: 1.6-8.8), and pressure sores (OR: 2.4, 95% CI: 1.1-5.2) were associated, this last remained after adjustment (OR: 16.0, 95% CI: 2.5-104.9).

LTC hospitals pose a risk for HAI. Further research on associated factors and preventive strategies is crucial to improve care in this sector.