Healthcare-Associated Infections in Cardiac Surgery Patients With Prolonged Intensive Care Unit Stay

Cardiac surgery patients with ICU stays of more than 7 days were evaluated for the incidence of healthcare-associated infections (HAI) over a 3-year period.  15% of over 2,500 pts had ICU stays of more than 7 days, of whom more than 48% had at least 1 HAI.  Mortality in those with HAI was more than twice as high as for those without (29% vs13%).    HAI was associated with RBC transfusion.  Mortality was associated with HAI and with central line infection.