Healthcare-Associated Infections In Türkiye: A Five-Year National Surveillance Analysis

Abstract

Healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) remain a major global public health concern, significantly affecting patient safety and quality of care. This study aimed to evaluate the incidence rates, infection densities, and pathogen distribution of HAIs reported in Türkiye between 2020 and 2024. This descriptive, retrospective ecological study was based on secondary data obtained from the annual surveillance reports published by the Ministry of Health of Türkiye under the National Healthcare-Associated Infections Surveillance Network (USHIESA). HAI incidence rates, infection density per 1,000 patient-days, and pathogen distribution data for the years 2020–2024 were analyzed. Comparative evaluation across years was performed to determine temporal trends. The HAI rate decreased to its lowest level (0.43) in 2021, followed by a steady increase reaching 0.69 in 2024. Infection density rose from 0.90 in 2020 to 1.70 in 2024 per 1,000 patient-days. Bloodstream infections were the most frequently reported HAI, followed by pneumonia, urinary tract infections, and surgical site infections. Gram-negative bacteria predominated among pathogens, with Klebsiella spp. (24.4%), Acinetobacter spp. (16.1%), and Pseudomonas spp. (10.8%) being the most commonly isolated organisms. An increasing trend in HAI rates was observed in the post-pandemic period in Türkiye. The predominance of multidrug-resistant gram-negative pathogens underscores the urgent need to strengthen infection prevention strategies and antimicrobial stewardship programs. Effective utilization of national surveillance systems is essential to reduce HAI burden and enhance patient safety and healthcare quality.