The Particulars: Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are among the most prevalent hospital admission diagnoses in the United States. However, data are lacking on the demography and economic implications of these admissions.
Data Breakdown: Researchers from Connecticut found that hospital patients with UTI at admission had an average length of stay (LOS) of 5 days and an average total hospital cost of $8,326 during their study. Among these patients, 15.3% were readmitted within 30 days, among whom 30.9% had a UTI at readmission. A secondary diagnosis of UTI was associated with increased costs, longer LOS, greater mortality, and increased ICU admission when compared with a primary diagnosis of the infection.
Take Home Pearls: UTIs appear to be associated with significant healthcare resource utilization and costs, including high rates of 30-day readmission. The clinical and economic burden appears to be substantially worse for secondary diagnoses of UTI when compared with primary diagnoses.
