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Nosocomial Infections Decade-Specific Risk

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 January 2015

Peter A. Gross ,
Christopher Rapuano ,
Anthony Adrignolo  and
Barbara Shaw
Peter A. Gross*
Affiliation:
Department of Internal Medicine, Hackensack Medical Center, Hackensack, New Jersey and New Jersey Medical School, University of Medicine & Dentistry of New Jersey
Christopher Rapuano
Affiliation:
Department of Internal Medicine, Hackensack Medical Center, Hackensack, New Jersey and New Jersey Medical School, University of Medicine & Dentistry of New Jersey
Anthony Adrignolo
Affiliation:
Department of Internal Medicine, Hackensack Medical Center, Hackensack, New Jersey and New Jersey Medical School, University of Medicine & Dentistry of New Jersey
Barbara Shaw
Affiliation:
Department of Internal Medicine, Hackensack Medical Center, Hackensack, New Jersey and New Jersey Medical School, University of Medicine & Dentistry of New Jersey
*
Hackensack Medical Center, Hackensack, NJ 07601
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Abstract

Although the elderly are thought to be at increased risk for acquiring nosocomial infections (NIs), the degree of risk has not been carefully quantified. We determined the decade-specific risks of NIs. The rate was constant at approximately 10 per 1,000 discharged patients from birth to 40 to 49 years. Thereafter the rate rose logarithmically and peaked at greater than 100 per 1,000 discharges after 70 years. Of all NIs, 64% occurred after 60 years of age. Yet, this elderly group made up only 23% of hospitalized patients. In conclusion, while the elderly comprise a small fraction of hospitalized patients, they account for the majority of nosocomial infections.

Type
Original Articles
Information
Infection Control & Hospital Epidemiology , Volume 4 , Issue 3 , May/June 1983 , pp. 145 - 147
Copyright
Copyright © The Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America 1983

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