A recent study has revealed that the risks for certain hospital-associated infections differ between urban and rural healthcare facilities, highlighting a nuanced relationship between health equity and infection risks. Tamia M. Dixon, MPH, an epidemiologist at ASRT, and colleagues analyzed data from 14 healthcare facilities in nine regions of Louisiana collected in 2022 by the CDC’s National Healthcare Safety Network. The study’s findings, presented at the Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America Spring Conference, suggest that factors related to health equity affect the incidence of central line-associated bloodstream infections and MRSA.
Dixon explains the study’s findings and the opportunities it offers to improve health equity and reduce the risk of hospital-associated infections at both urban and rural facilities in a video interview. “The result of the study is having a better understanding of incidence rates in Louisiana associated with these certain infections and how we can better understand and provide targeted interventions for these facilities with these high incidence rates,” Dixon said.
The study highlights the importance of addressing health equity in healthcare facilities to reduce infection risks. By analyzing data from both urban and rural settings, researchers can identify opportunities to implement targeted interventions to improve infection rates in these facilities. Through a better understanding of the relationship between health equity and infection risks, healthcare providers can work towards creating a more equitable healthcare system for all patients.
The findings were presented at the Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America Spring Conference held in Houston. This research sheds light on disparities in infection rates between different types of healthcare facilities and emphasizes the need for tailored interventions to address these issues. Overall, this study offers valuable insights into the complex relationship between health equity and incidence rates of hospital-associated infections.