A new report from the Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF), Key Facts About Hospitals, highlights the need for quality disease (ID) care in hospitals and health systems.
According to the report, infectious diseases accounted for four of the top ten reasons for hospitalization across all age groups. Sepsis was the leading reason for hospitalization in 2021 (excluding maternal and neonatal stays), reinforcing the critical role of ID expertise in hospital care.
Notably, each age group analyzed in the report had at least three infectious diseases among the top ten most common inpatient diagnoses per 100,000 people, demonstrating the widespread impact of infectious diseases, regardless of age.
Common infections like sepsis, pneumonia, urinary tract infections, and skin and soft tissue infections drive a substantial share of reasons for hospitalization. Without expert ID management, these conditions can lead to prolonged hospital stays, complications, and increased costs.
Hospitals that invest in dedicated infectious diseases support can experience:
- Reduced length of stay
- More effective IV-to-PO antibiotic conversions
- Lower risk of hospital-acquired infections
- Improved patient outcomes and quality of care
Does your hospital need infectious diseases support? Contact us to learn how our telemedicine-based ID physician services can support your hospital’s quality and cost-savings goals.
Source:
Kaiser Family Foundation. Key Facts About Hospitals. Published [date]. Accessed February 24, 2025. https://www.kff.org/key-facts-about-hospitals/?entry=use-of-hospital-care-common-inpatient-diagnoses
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