Variable Definitions Clause Samples

Variable Definitions. For aims one and two, all variables pertaining to demographics, comorbid conditions, and CRE risk factors were obtained through manual review of the patient’s medical record by EIP surveillance epidemiologists. Demographic variables included the patient’s age at the time of culture identification and race. Comorbidity burden was quantified by the ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ comorbidity index (CCI), which is a validated scoring system for comorbid conditions and can be used to predict mortality (39). Conditions included in the CCI include history of myocardial infarction, congestive heart failure, peripheral vascular disease, cerebrovascular disease, dementia, chronic pulmonary disease, connective tissue disease, ulcer disease, liver disease, diabetes, hemiplegia, moderate to severe renal disease, malignancy, and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. We dichotomized the CCI variable and categorized patients with CCI of ≤ 3 as “low” and CCI >3 as “high.” This breakpoint was selected because it was the median for our study and was associated with an estimated 10-year survival of < 55% in the original validation study (39). We assessed for the presence of an indwelling urethral or suprapubic urinary catheter, central venous catheter or other indwelling device in place at the time the culture was obtained or in the two prior calendar days. Other indwelling devices were defined as devices implanted into an inner body space for the purpose of promoting drainage, providing a route for administration of food or medications, or administering oxygen, including endotracheal or nasotracheal tubes, gastrostomy tubes, nasogastric tubes, nephrostomy tubes, or tracheostomies. Additional covariates included the patient’s residence (inpatient facility, LTACH, long-term care facility (LTCF), or private residence) four days prior to the culture, location where the CRE culture was obtained (inpatient facility, LTACH, LTCF, or outpatient clinic), and if the patient was in the intensive care unit (ICU) in the 7 calendar days prior to the culture. The presence of decubitus ulcers, dementia, hemi- or paraplegia or underlying urinary tract abnormalities (structural or functional abnormalities that lead to obstruction or retention of urine) at the time of CRE culture were captured as part of the standard EIP chart review because these characteristics may be more common in patients with urinary catheters, causing confounding. For aim two, we defined progression as any patient in the study cohort that had ...