Analyzing Pre-operative Hospital Stay and Incidence of Hospital Acquired Infection: A Retrospective Study

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Healthcare-associated infections (HCAIs) pose a significant challenge, impacting patient safety and treatment effectiveness. This retrospective study investigates the correlation between pre-operative hospital stays and HCAIs in ICU cardiac surgery patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Medical records of 35 patients who died post-cardiac surgery in the ICU were analyzed, focusing on the duration of pre-operative hospitalization. RESULTS: Prolonged pre-operative stays strongly correlate (r = 0.993) with increased HCAIs, indicating a critical risk factor. CONCLUSIONS: The duration of pre-operative hospital stays is pivotal in HCAI risk. Prospective multicenter studies are needed for validation, which is crucial for enhancing patient safety and treatment efficacy.