Hospital characteristics associated with healthcare-associated viral respiratory infection rates in a Canadian acute care network
Year: 2026
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: Objective: To determine if hospital characteristics were associated with rates of healthcare-associated (HA) viral respiratory infections (VRIs) in a large Canadian acute care hospital network. Design: Survey of hospital characteristics and prospective surveillance of HA-VRI. Setting: The Canadian Nosocomial Infection Surveillance Program is a sentinel surveillance system with 89 hospitals participating in adult and pediatric VRI surveillance. Patients Patients with laboratory confirmed infection from SARS-CoV-2, Influenza A/B or RSV associated with their hospitalization from participating hospitals between January 1-December 31, 2024. Methods: A 15-item survey was distributed to hospitals to collect information on hospital infrastructure, infection prevention and control practices, and occupational health measures for healthcare workers. HA-VRI rates/10,000 patient-days were analyzed alongside survey responses using univariable and multivariable negative binomial regression models in R to determine associations. Hospitals without case data were excluded. Results: Of 89 hospitals, 93% (n = 83) responded to the survey, with 79 included in the analysis. The national HA-VRI rate was 8.15/10,000 patient-days. Pediatric hospitals had a 56% lower HA-VRI rate than adult/mixed hospitals ( P < .001) that increased with the exclusion of SARS-CoV-2. Each 10% increase in the percentage of single-bed rooms corresponded to a 12% reduction in infection rate ( P < .001). Teaching vs. Non-teaching hospitals were associated with a 32% lower HA-VRI rate. Universal masking was not associated with a statistically significant reduction in HA-VRI rates (RR 0.82, 95% CI: 0.56–1.19). Conclusions: In a large surveillance network, lower HA-VRI rates were seen in pediatric hospitals, teaching hospitals, and in hospitals with higher proportions of single-bed rooms.
Institutions: Public Health Agency of Canada, Université de Montréal, University of Toronto, Dalhousie University, University of Calgary, Alberta Health Services, University of Manitoba, University of Alberta, McGill University, McMaster University, Provincial Health Services Authority, Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario
Language: English
Subfield: Infectious Diseases
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
Estimated APC paid: $3,550
OpenAlex ID: W7170068398