The influence of hospital-acquired infections on length of stay and mortality in an internal medicine unit: a retrospective study

Resumen

Introduction: Hospitalization is essential for treating various conditions but involves risks such as hospital-acquired infections (HAIs), which increase morbidity, mortality, and healthcare costs. Objective: To analyze the relationship between length of stay in an internal medicine ward and the occurrence of infectious complications. Methodology: This is a retrospective study based on the analysis of 437 patient records from March 2023 to November 2024 in a tertiary public hospital in Fortaleza, Brazil. Sociodemographic data, final diagnoses, length of stay, and occurrence of HAIs were evaluated. Statistical analysis was conducted using Jamovi® software with a 5% significance level. Results: The average age was 51 years, with 53.3% female patients. The mean hospital stay was 21.67 days. HAIs occurred in 32.4% of patients, especially among the elderly (40.1%) and males. Infected patients had longer hospital stays (31.67 vs. 16.85 days; p<0.001) and higher mortality rates (23.2% vs. 1%). The most frequent complications were respiratory infections, followed by skin and bloodstream infections. HAIs were also associated with pressure injuries, delirium, and hyperglycemia. Conclusion: HAIs significantly increase hospital stay duration and mortality, highlighting the urgent need for effective prevention and control strategies to improve patient outcomes and optimize healthcare resources.