Nosocomial infections in coronary care units in the United States

Coronary care unit usage has expanded rapidly in all high income countries with little attention to effectivity or cost. A study of six randomly chosen Swedish units showed that larger units in teaching hospitals had significantly lower age-adjusted mortality rates, higher proportions of myocardial infarction patients, and greater productivity and efficiency. Comparisons with a study from the United States showed better results in the Swedish hospital units according to all variables measured. Although proof of effectiveness of CCU's is lacking, their continued use is assured. A less than optimal solution is a rational distribution of units based upon epidemiologically determined need, while stressing good organization and efficiency.

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Nosocomial Infections in Surgical Patients in the United States, January 1986-June 1992

Infection Control and Hospital Epidemiology ◽

10.2307/30147164 ◽

1993 ◽

Vol 14 (2) ◽

pp. 73-80 ◽

Cited By ~ 124

Author(s):

Teresa C. Horan ◽

David H. Culver ◽

Robert P. Gaynes ◽

William R. Jarvis ◽

Jonathan R. Edwards ◽

...

Keyword(s):

United States ◽

Nosocomial Infections ◽

The United States ◽

Surgical Patients

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Nosocomial infections in medical intensive care units in the United States

Critical Care Medicine ◽

10.1097/00003246-199905000-00020 ◽

1999 ◽

Vol 27 (5) ◽

pp. 887-892 ◽

Cited By ~ 965

Author(s):

Michael J. Richards ◽

Jonathan R. Edwards ◽

David H. Culver ◽

Robert P. Gaynes

Keyword(s):

United States ◽

Intensive Care ◽

Intensive Care Units ◽

Nosocomial Infections ◽

The United States ◽

Medical Intensive Care

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Nosocomial Infections in Pediatric Intensive Care Units in the United States

PEDIATRICS ◽

10.1542/peds.103.4.e39 ◽

1999 ◽

Vol 103 (4) ◽

pp. e39-e39 ◽

Cited By ~ 334

Author(s):

Michael J. Richards ◽

Jonathan R. Edwards ◽

David H. Culver ◽

Robert P. Gaynes ◽

Keyword(s):

United States ◽

Intensive Care ◽

Intensive Care Units ◽

Nosocomial Infections ◽

Pediatric Intensive Care ◽

The United States ◽

Pediatric Intensive Care Units

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Nosocomial Infections in Neurosurgical Intensive Care Units in the United States

American Journal of Infection Control ◽

10.1016/j.ajic.2004.04.178 ◽

2004 ◽

Vol 32 (3) ◽

pp. E120-E121

Author(s):

B. Kupronis∗ ◽

J. Edwards ◽

T. Horan ◽

C. Richards ◽

J. Tokars

Keyword(s):

United States ◽

Intensive Care ◽

Intensive Care Units ◽

Nosocomial Infections ◽

The United States ◽

Neurosurgical Intensive Care

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Nosocomial Infection Surveillance in the United States: Historical Perspective

Infection Control ◽

10.1017/s0195941700069769 ◽

1987 ◽

Vol 8 (11) ◽

pp. 450-453 ◽

Cited By ~ 25

Author(s):

James M. Hughes

Keyword(s):

United States ◽

Nosocomial Infection ◽

Infection Control ◽

Nosocomial Infections ◽

Control Program ◽

The United States ◽

National Database ◽

Surveillance Program ◽

Infection Control Program ◽

Infection Surveillance

AbstractDuring the past 30 years, many important strides have been made in the prevention of nosocomial infections in the United States. Infection control programs have been established in hospitals throughout the country. Techniques for surveillance of nosocomial infections have been developed and utilized extensively. Results of the Study on the Efficacy of Nosocomial Infection Control (SENIC Project) and the experience with surveillance of surgical wound infections have documented the fact that surveillance is an integral component of an effective nosocomial infection control program. In recent years, a number of approaches to nosocomial infection surveillance have been proposed as alternatives to comprehensive or hospital-wide surveillance. In 1986, four surveillance components were introduced in the National Nosocomial Infections Surveillance (NNIS) system to provide participating institutions the option to tailor their surveillance program to their local needs and priorities while continuing to provide information to the national database on nosocomial infections. Infection control practitioners currently face a challenge to develop more meaningful nosocomial infection rates to permit identification of new infection control priorities for their institution and to assess progress toward specific prevention objectives.

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The Burden of Infection in Long-Term Care

Infection Control and Hospital Epidemiology ◽

10.1086/501712 ◽

2000 ◽

Vol 21 (10) ◽

pp. 674-679 ◽

Cited By ~ 127

Author(s):

Larry J. Strausbaugh ◽

Carol L. Joseph

Keyword(s):

United States ◽

Acute Care ◽

Nosocomial Infections ◽

Long Term Care ◽

Research Priorities ◽

The United States ◽

Antimicrobial Use ◽

Term Care ◽

Care Facilities

AbstractAvailable data, although fragmentary, indicate that infections impose a large burden on long-term–care facilities (LTCFs) in the United States. Endemic infections occur with frequencies estimated to range between 1.64 and 3.83 million per year. These estimates rival or exceed the annual tally for nosocomial infections in acute-care settings. Infections associated with outbreaks caused by respiratory, gastrointestinal, and antimicrobial-resistant pathogens burden LTCFs even further. As judged by antimicrobial use, transfers to hospital, and mortality figures, infections in LTCFs are not trivial. Moreover, annual costs associated with these infections appear to exceed $1 billion. Recognition of the burden associated with infection in LTCFs helps to identify research priorities for this rapidly growing area of healthcare.

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