Burden of healthcare-associated infections in Italy: incidence, attributable mortality and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) from a nationwide study, 2016

Background Healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) are an increasing public health threat. Measuring disease burden in disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs) allows the combination of morbidity and mortality into one figure, as it represents summation years lived with disability life lost. Aim To evaluate incidence, attributable deaths most significant HAIs Italy. Methods Prevalence data from study sample 2016 national Point Survey acute-care settings were used to estimate incidence five HAIs. The methodology Burden Communicable Diseases Europe (BCoDE)-project was employed for DALY calculations, adapting models Italian population. Findings We estimated a total 641,065 (95% uncertainty interval, UI 585,543.00–699,207.90) new yearly cases 29,375 23,705.97–35,905.80) Italy 2016. annual DALYs be 424,657.45 346,240.35–513,357.28), corresponding 702.53 575.22–844.66) per 100,000 general Bloodstream accounted majority (59%), healthcare-associated pneumonia 29%, surgical site 9%, CDI 2% urinary tract less than 1% DALYs. Conclusion Results this suggest have substantial Reducing through infection prevention control efforts is achievable goal. This provides that could guide policy-makers implementation these measures.