Understanding recurrent infection and rehospitalization after sepsis: a record linkage study

Approximately 10,000 patients are admitted with sepsis to ICUs in the Netherlands each year, 25-40% of whom die. Sepsis is a severe inflammatory response by the body to an infection. Furthermore, patients who survive the acute phase of sepsis frequently suffer from long-term injuries to various organ systems. This multimorbidity puts them at risk of re-infections and other late complications. As a result, a further 20-25% of patients die during the subsequent year.

Aim

This project studied how often a serious infection after hospital discharge happens, which patients are at highest risk, and which micro-organisms are involved.

Method

In this project, the researchers linked a detailed Dutch ICU database to national registries (hospital admissions, causes of death, bacterial cultures and viral tests). For more than 6,000 ICU survivors, they could track infections up to one year after discharge, including those occurring in other hospitals.

Results

Not only sepsis patients, but also other ICU survivors are frequently readmitted to hospital with new infections. The risk is highest in the first weeks after hospital discharge. This can inform preventative measures. Prevention should focus on all ICU survivors and on the early period. The infrastructure the researchers developed is already being used in follow-up research aimed at better risk prediction and prevention.