OBJECTIVE To analyze the changing trend of hospital-acquired infections (HAIs)in hospitals from 2017 to 2023, and identify the distribution of different departments, infection sites and pathogens, so as to provide a scientific basis for the prevention and control of HAI.

METHODS During the study period, the HAI data were collected and classified by year, department and infection site. Joinpoint regression model was used to analyze the trend of HAI rate, calculate the average annual percentage change (AAPC), and evaluate the distribution of infection sites and pathogenic bacteria.

RESULTS The overall infection situation showed that the average HAI rate was 1.19%, with a trend of increasing first and then decreasing during the study period, and AAPC was 8.33% (95%CI: 0.025-0.173). The infection rate was the highest in the emergency department with an AAPC of 13.51% (95%CI: 0.074-0.250), while the infection rates in the department of traditional Chinese medicine and orthopedics were relatively stable. Lower respiratory tract infections accounted for the major proportion, followed by urinary tract infections and bloodstream infections. The AAPC for lower respiratory tract infections was 18.64%. The pathogenic analysis showed that bacterial infections were mainly gram-negative bacteria, with Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Acinetobacter baumannii being the most common pathogens causing HAI.

CONCLUSIONS The results of the study reveal that significant differences in HAI rates among different departments and infection sites, especially the increasing infection rate in the emergency department should be highly concerned. In view of the persistent high incidence of respiratory and urinary tract infections, it is recommended to strengthen the relevant prevention and control measures. To effectively reduce the incidence of HAIs, it is necessary to focus on the monitoring and management of drug-resistant pathogens in the future.