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. 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.

Since fundamental breakthroughs in acute treatment are not expected soon, it seems that the greatest societal impact on sepsis outcomes can be made during this post-acute phase. Several preventative interventions are conceivable, but can only be designed effectively if we know which patients are at increased risk of which specific types of infection.

Aim

We propose this pilot project to investigate, by means of data linkage, the risk of re-infection in sepsis survivors in the first year after hospital discharge and estimate the adverse outcomes attributable to its occurrence.