Inter-hospital transfer is an independent risk factor for hospital-associated infection.
Gardner C, Rubinfeld IS, Gupta AH, et al. Inter-hospital transfer is an independent risk factor for hospital-associated infection. Surg Infect (Larchmt). 2024;25(2):125-132. doi:10.1089/sur.2023.077.
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.