OBJECTIVE To analyze the outbreaks of Serratia marcescens (SM) in the global hospital-associated infection outbreak database, and provide evidence for formulating effective prevention and control strategies.

METHODS Descriptive statistical analysis was conducted on 101 SM hospital-associated infection outbreaks reported in the Worldwide Database for Nosocomial Outbreaks between 1968 and 2024.

RESULTS Global outbreaks of SM infection were predominantly concentrated in Mar., primarily in Europe and America. The main affected populations were adults (47.86%) and newborns (37.61%). The departments with the highest incidence rates were neonatology (46.15%) and general surgery (23.08%). ICU was the primary location where infections occurred (55.45%). Common infection sites included bloodstream infections (34.98%), urinary tract infections (14.29%) and lower respiratory track infection (12.32%). The primary sources of infection were patients (27.85%), medical equipment/devices (25.32%) and the environment (13.92%). The primary modes of transmission were contact transmission (53.46%) and invasive procedures (22.77%). Among the risk factors, invasive procedures accounted for the highest proportion (43.43%). Preventive and control measures mainly involved modifications to nursing equipment (14.47%), hand hygiene (13.21%) and patient screening/monitoring (12.26%).

CONCLUSIONS The prevention and control of SM hospital-associated infection should be based on the epidemiological characteristics of its outbreak, combined with local conditions, focusing on high-risk populations and high-risk factors, and implementing precise intervention strategies.