The objective of this study was to compare and contrast characteristics of healthcare-associated community onset bloodstream infections with community-acquired and hospital-acquired bloodstream infections. Researchers assessed 7,712 patients, of which 2,132 (28 percent) had hospital-acquired infections, 2,492 (32 percent) healthcare-associated community onset infections and 3,088 (40 percent) had community acquired infections.
Their analysis showed patients with community-acquired infections were significantly younger and less likely to have co-morbid medical illnesses than patients with hospital-acquired or community onset infections. The median length of stay and all-cause mortality rates differed for each category of infections as well.
The researchers concluded healthcare-associated community onset infections are distinctly different from community-acquired and hospital-acquired infections based on a number of epidemiologic, microbiologic and outcome characteristics.
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