LAUSR

Key Points Question What is the incidence of health care–associated infections (HAIs) among hospitalized patients with COVID-19 vs those without COVID-19? Findings In a cross-sectional analysis of more than 5 million hospitalizations between 2020 and 2022, the occurrence of central line–associated bloodstream infection, catheter-associated urinary tract infection, and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia was between 2.7- and 3.7-fold higher in the COVID-19 population. Occurrence of these HAIs among patients hospitalized without COVID-19 did not increase significantly from baseline during this same time frame. Meaning Despite the strain on the health care system, the increase in HAIs was not observed in the non–COVID-19 population, suggesting that key safety processes were maintained and patients with COVID-19 may require additional protective care to prevent HAIs.