The United States' progress toward eliminating catheter-related bloodstream infections: Incidence, mortality, and hospital length of stay from 1996 to 2008

Background: Approximately 250,000 catheter-related bloodstream infections (CRBSIs) occurred in the United States in 2002. These preventable infections unnecessarily increase mortality and prolong hospitalization. This study provides national estimates of CRBSIs over 13 years (1996-2008) and identifies trends in mortality and hospital length of stay. Methods: We analyzed data from the National Hospital Discharge Surveys from 1996 to 2008. Adults ≥20 years of age with an ICD-9-CM code for CRBSI (996.62 or 993.3x) were included. Population estimates were obtained from the US Census Bureau, and incidence rates were reported per 10,000 persons. Results: These data represent 1.5 million discharges. CRBSIs increased from 4.3 cases/10,000 persons in 1996 to 7.0 cases/10,000 persons in 2003. Thereafter, rates declined until 2008 (5.1 cases/10,000 persons). Mortality declined from 7.6% in 1996 to 5.9% in 2008. Median hospital length of stay (8 days) remained constant throughout the study period. Conclusion: CRBSIs in US adults increased from 1996 to 2003 then declined until 2008. Patient mortality also declined throughout the study period, whereas hospital length of stay remained constant.