Objectives: To characterize the variety of rehabilitation hospitals found nationally and determine whether possibilities exist for comparability of nosocomial infection rates among rehabilitation hospitals. Methods: One hundred thirty-seven rehabilitation hospitals certified by either the Joint Commission on Accrediatation of Health Care Organization (JCAHO) or Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF) were identified. Hospitals were sent a three page survey with questions regarding patient case mix, methodology for nosocomial infection rate calculation, nosocomial infection surveillance definitions and drug resistant organisms. Results: Responding facilities (90/137=65.7%) reflect wide demographic variability. Consensus exists regarding the use of the 1988 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) surveillance definitions with slight alterations to fit the demographics of the particular hospital. Less than half of the facilities calculate specific infection rates for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus, though 61.6% have policies for the management of Clostridium difficile infections. Conclusion: The results indicate that standardization will be difficult in this population. Further research is needed to clarify rehabilitation hospital demographics and patient mix.
Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, the participant in this session will be able to recognize the characteristics of a rehabilitation hospital and the challenges of nosocomial infection reporting in such a setting
Keywords: Hospitals, Infectious Diseases
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I have a significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.
Relationship: I was employed as a student intern by Gaylord Hospital in Wallingford, CT when this project was undertaken. Gaylord is itself a rehabilitation hospital. However, all the data in the paper are in aggregate; no hospital is mentioned by name.