Inter-hospital transfer is an independent risk factor for hospital-associated infection. March 20, 2024

https://psnet.ahrq.gov/issue/inter-hospital-transfer-independent-risk-factor-hospital-associated-infection Inter-hospital transfer is an independent risk factor for hospital-associated infection. Gardner C, Rubinfeld IS, Gupta AH, et al. Surg Infect (Larchmt). 2024;25(2):125-132. CMS's Hospital-Acquired Condition Reduction Program (HACRP) reduces reimbursements to hospitals with high rates of hospital-associated infections (HAI). This study examines the role of inter-hospital transfer on HAI rates of surgical patients. Results show an increased risk-adjusted rate for HAI in transferred surgical patients compared with non-transferred patients, which in turn results in an increased financial burden on regional hospitals that accept these patients.