Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol

ObjectiveWe sought to determine whether central line-associated bloodstream infections (CLABSI) increase the likelihood of readmission.DesignRetrospective matched cohort study for the years 2008\u20132009.SettingAcute care hospitals.ParticipantsMedicare recipients. CLABSI and readmission status were determined by linking National Healthcare Safety Network surveillance data to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services\u2019 Medical Provider and Analysis Review in eight states. Frequency matching was used on ICD-9-CM procedure code category and intensive care unit status.MethodsWe compared the rate of readmission among patients with and without CLABSI during an index hospitalization. Cox proportional hazard analysis was used to assess rate of readmission (the first hospitalization within 30 days post-index discharge). Multivariate models included the following covariates: race, sex, length of index hospitalization stay central line procedure code, GAGNE co-morbidity score, and individual chronic conditions.ResultsOf the 8,097 patients, 2,260 were readmitted within 30 days (27.9%). The rate of first readmission was 7.1 events/person-year (PY) for CLABSI patients and 4.3 events/PY for non-CLABSI patients (p