Association Between the Vulnerability to Hospital-Acquired Infection and Health Care Utilization: Evidence From the National Inpatient Sample From 2016 to 2020

Key Points

• The research aims to explore how sociodemographic and hospital factors influence vulnerability to hospital-acquired infections (HAIs) and related outcomes.
• Analyzed data from the National Inpatient Sample between 2016 and 2020.
• Examined associations between sociodemographic factors, HAIs, and health care utilization metrics.
• Assessed length of hospitalizations and costs related to in-hospital care.
• Increased vulnerability to HAIs correlates with higher in-hospital mortality rates.
• Patients with greater vulnerability experience longer hospital stays.
• Higher health care costs are associated with increased vulnerability to HAIs.