UF researchers analyzed more than 200,000 critically ill patients across the U.S. using data from the national University HealthSystem Consortium. Investigators focused on four common, treatable viral infections, including influenza, and their role in hospital complications such as death.
The average stay of patients who were apparently free of infection was 11.5 days, compared with 21 days for those infected with viruses and 46.2 days for patients who had both viral and bacterial infections. Patients with both bacterial and viral infections had the strongest association with poorer outcomes such as death, multi-organ failure and septic shock.
Although it seems reasonable that infections can hinder the recovery of critically ill patients, scant evidence exists to justify more aggressive screening and treatment strategies. Patients in intensive care are not normally tested for viral infections throughout their hospital stay, according to the news release.
Read the news release about viral infections affecting patient outcomes.
Related Articles on Infections:
Bill Would Provide Workers’ Compensation for Hospital Employees Infected on the Job
California Laws on Infection Control, Reporting Have Yet to Produce Real Improvements
St. Cloud Hospital, Minnesota Health Department Investigate Infection Outbreak
