Changes in nursing team composition and risk of device-associated infection in intensive care units

Abstract

The relationship between nursing staffing levels and healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) has been explored previously with conflicting results. This study uses daily shift records from 2 intensive care units (ICUs) to evaluate whether nuanced changes in nursing team composition impacts subsequent risk for device associated HAIs. Staffing deficiencies may be associated with periods of risk prior to central line-associated bloodstream infection in the ICU.

Keywords: Catheter associated urinary tract infection; Central line associated bloodstream infection; Healthcare associated infections; Infection prevention.