Healthcare-associated infections (HAIs), characterized by extended hospital stays and elevated death rates, persist as a worldwide healthcare obstacle. The COVID-19 pandemic has indirectly influenced HAIs, decreasing some through reinforced hygiene habits but amplifying others via resource redirection. The impact after policy changes isn’t well understood, highlighting the need for a comprehensive investigation of HAIs distribution, causative microbes, and antibiotic resistance before, during, and after strict COVID-19 control measures.
A retrospective study was carried out utilizing data from 2019-2023 from a tertiary hospital in southwest China. Employing a real-time surveillance system, HAIs were initially determined by clinicians and later confirmed by Infection Control experts. The study included 2,808 HAI cases (1,665 males and 1,143 females), averaging 61.37 years of age. Fluctuating HAI incidence rates were observed over the five years, pointing to possible shifts in infection control dynamics. The highest HAI rates were found in Hematology, Cardiology, and Neurology departments, with the lower respiratory tract, bloodstream, and urinary tract being the most common HAI sites.
The most common causative organisms were identified as Klebsiella pneumoniae, Escherichia coli, and Acinetobacter baumannii. As these pathogens demonstrated considerable resistance to multiple antibiotics, it was notable that all were susceptible to tigecycline. The information underlines the need for continuous HAI tracking to guide evidence-based infection control policies and stresses the importance of enhancing infection control measures in high-risk departments and areas. Additionally, the effective optimization of antibiotic stewardship is fundamental in such a healthcare environment.
HAIs represent significant troubles to worldwide healthcare systems, resulting in prolonged hospital stays, increased morbidity and mortality, and additional costs for patients. Therefore, epidemiological surveillance of HAIs is essential for exploration into the causes, patterns, and ultimately the formulation of effective control strategies. The COVID-19 pandemic has further complicated HAI prevention and control, necessitating an intense focus on effective strategies for infection control, vigilant surveillance, and rigorous antibiotic stewardship.
Source: https://bmcinfectdis.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12879-025-11173-1