The study conducted by Tamia M. Dixon, MPH, an epidemiologist at ASRT, and her colleagues has shed light on the nuanced relationship between health equity and the risk for hospital-associated infections. The researchers analyzed data from 14 healthcare facilities in nine regions of Louisiana collected in 2022 by the CDC’s National Healthcare Safety Network. The findings suggest that factors related to health equity affect the incidence of central line-associated bloodstream infections and MRSA.
During a video interview, Dixon explained how the study’s findings offer opportunities to improve health equity and the risk for hospital-associated infections at both urban and rural facilities. “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,” she said.
The study highlights the importance of addressing health equity in healthcare facilities to reduce the risk of hospital-associated infections. 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 of the study were presented at the Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America Spring Conference in Houston. This research sheds light on the disparities in infection rates between different types of healthcare facilities and emphasizes the need for tailored interventions to address these issues. Overall, the study offers valuable insights into the complex relationship between health equity and the incidence of hospital-associated infections.