Development and Application of a Surveillance Method for Healthcare-Associated Infections in Long-Term Care Hospitals in Korea

BACKGROUND: This study developed a surveillance method for healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) in long-term care hospitals (LTCHs) and investigated the current status of HAIs in LTCHs in Korea. METHODS: We applied the HAI-related surveillance criteria for long-term care facilities developed by McGeer in six LTCHs. RESULTS: The 197 confirmed HAIs corresponded to incidence rates of 30.38/100 inpatients and 1.57/1,000 days of hospitalization and included 84 cases of respiratory tract infection (43.8%), 78 cases of systemic infection (40.6%), 24 cases of gastrointestinal tract infection (12.5%), and 6 cases of skin and soft tissue mucosal infection (2.1%). The subtypes included 78 cases of unexplained febrile illness (40.6%); 40 cases of pneumonia (20.8%); 27 cases of lower respiratory tract infection (14.1%); 21 cases of gastroenteritis (10.9%); 9 cases of influenza-like illness (4.7%); 8 cases of common cold or pharyngitis (4.2%); 4 cases of cellulitis, soft tissue, or wound infection (2.1%); 3 cases of Clostridium difficile infection (1.6%); 1 case of conjunctivitis (0.5%); and 1 case of fungal oral/perioral and skin infection (0.5%). CONCLUSION: Establishing an HAI surveillance method for LTCHs and identifying HAI rates and risk factors among LTCH patients may help prevent HAIs in LTCHs in Korea.