Burden of Bloodstream Infections in the United States: Incidence and Healthcare Resource Utilization 2022-2024
Author(s)
Chendi Cui, PhD, MS, MBBS, Rena C. Moon, MPH, MD, Laura Curry, MS, PhD, Ning An Rosenthal, MPH, PhD, MD.
Premier, Inc., Charlotte, NC, USA.
Premier, Inc., Charlotte, NC, USA.
OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to assess the burden of bloodstream infections (BSIs) in the United States (U.S.) by estimating the incidence and healthcare resource utilization (HRU) among adult inpatients from 2022 to 2024.
METHODS: This retrospective cohort study analyzed data from the Premier Healthcare Database, the largest inpatient and outpatient discharge database in the U.S. Adult inpatients (≥18 years) with a BSI diagnosis, identified using ICD-10-CM diagnosis codes, were included between 1/1/2022 and 12/31/2024. Incidence was assessed overall and by patient characteristics. HRU and costs were described for BSI patients.
RESULTS: Among 19,230,752 inpatients, 2,473,532 (12.9%) were diagnosed with BSI, with incidence being stable across study years. Incidence increased with age and was higher among males, Medicare beneficiaries, and those with a higher Charlson Comorbidity Index. Incidence was similar across race and ethnicity groups. Among BSI patients, the mean hospital length of stay (LOS) was 8.9 days, with a mean cost of $30,287. ICU admission occurred in 30.5% of patients, with a mean ICU LOS of 5.89 days and a mean ICU cost of $35,235. In-hospital mortality was 10.3%. During the 30-day post-discharge period, 14.2% of patients were readmitted, with a mean LOS of 9.09 days and a mean readmission cost of $20,083. Additionally, 22.7% of patients had outpatient visits during the 30-day follow-up, with a mean cost of $2,489. The 30-day all-cause mortality rate was 3.0%.
CONCLUSIONS: This study provides comprehensive and large-scale assessments of the incidence and HRU associated with BSIs in the U.S. in the post-COVID era. The findings demonstrate that BSIs continue to impose a substantial clinical and economic burden on the healthcare system. These results serve as an important benchmark for healthcare providers, policymakers, and researchers to inform future prevention strategies, optimize resource allocation, and guide clinical and policy decision-making in the current healthcare landscape.
METHODS: This retrospective cohort study analyzed data from the Premier Healthcare Database, the largest inpatient and outpatient discharge database in the U.S. Adult inpatients (≥18 years) with a BSI diagnosis, identified using ICD-10-CM diagnosis codes, were included between 1/1/2022 and 12/31/2024. Incidence was assessed overall and by patient characteristics. HRU and costs were described for BSI patients.
RESULTS: Among 19,230,752 inpatients, 2,473,532 (12.9%) were diagnosed with BSI, with incidence being stable across study years. Incidence increased with age and was higher among males, Medicare beneficiaries, and those with a higher Charlson Comorbidity Index. Incidence was similar across race and ethnicity groups. Among BSI patients, the mean hospital length of stay (LOS) was 8.9 days, with a mean cost of $30,287. ICU admission occurred in 30.5% of patients, with a mean ICU LOS of 5.89 days and a mean ICU cost of $35,235. In-hospital mortality was 10.3%. During the 30-day post-discharge period, 14.2% of patients were readmitted, with a mean LOS of 9.09 days and a mean readmission cost of $20,083. Additionally, 22.7% of patients had outpatient visits during the 30-day follow-up, with a mean cost of $2,489. The 30-day all-cause mortality rate was 3.0%.
CONCLUSIONS: This study provides comprehensive and large-scale assessments of the incidence and HRU associated with BSIs in the U.S. in the post-COVID era. The findings demonstrate that BSIs continue to impose a substantial clinical and economic burden on the healthcare system. These results serve as an important benchmark for healthcare providers, policymakers, and researchers to inform future prevention strategies, optimize resource allocation, and guide clinical and policy decision-making in the current healthcare landscape.
Conference/Value in Health Info
2025-11, ISPOR Europe 2025, Glasgow, Scotland
Value in Health, Volume 28, Issue S2
Code
EPH33
Topic
Epidemiology & Public Health, Health Service Delivery & Process of Care, Real World Data & Information Systems
Disease
Infectious Disease (non-vaccine)