Correlations between bed occupancy rates andClostridium difficileinfections: a time-series analysis

Abstract

SUMMARYA time-series analysis was performed to identify the impact of bed occupancy rates and length of hospital stay on the incidence ofClostridium difficileinfections (CDI). Between January 2003 and July 2008, a mean incidence of 0·5 CDI cases/1000 patient days was recorded. Application of a multivariate model (R2=0·50) showed that bed occupancy rates on general wards (P<0·01) and length of stay in intensive care units (ICUs) (P<0·01) influenced the incidence of CDI. Overcrowding on general wards and long periods in ICUs were identified as being positively associated with the incidence of CDI.