Using hospital records to find serious infections that start during a hospital stay
Official title: Electronic Surveillance for Hospital-Onset Sepsis to Expand Detection of Serious Healthcare-Associated Infections
Funded at Harvard Pilgrim Health Care, INC. · NIH-11144398 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A computer-based method uses routine hospital records to spot serious infections that begin during inpatient care for hospitalized patients.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Harvard Pilgrim Health Care, INC. NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Canton, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | September 30, 2023 |
| Project end | July 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $473,278 |
| NIH project number | 5R01HS029660-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11144398 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Hospitalized patients who develop possible infections during their stay—such as those with blood cultures ordered or who start a new course of antibiotics—are the primary group this work targets.
✕Less likely to help
People who are not hospitalized or whose infections were already present at the time of admission are unlikely to be included or directly helped by this project.
What this research studies
When infections start during a hospital stay they are often missed by current tracking systems that rely on manual review. This project applies CDC’s hospital-onset Adult Sepsis Event rules to routine electronic clinical data—like blood culture orders and new antibiotic treatment—to flag serious hospital-acquired infections. The team will compare the electronic flags to existing reporting to identify cases that are currently overlooked and to reduce variability in detection. The focus includes infections not routinely tracked today, such as hospital-acquired pneumonia and non–line-associated bloodstream infections.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could lead to earlier and more complete detection of serious hospital-acquired infections so patients receive faster care and hospitals can improve safety.
How similar studies have gone: Prior work using electronic health records and CDC’s Adult Sepsis Event definition has shown promise for identifying serious infections, but applying it broadly to expand routine hospital infection surveillance is still relatively new.
Where this research is happening
-
Harvard Pilgrim Health Care, INC.
Canton, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Rhee, Chanu — Harvard Pilgrim Health Care, INC.
- Study coordinator: Rhee, Chanu
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Role of blood flow mechanics and transfusion in sepsis-related tiny-cl vessel clots
A patient-focused look at how red blood cell flow and transfusions might influence tiny blood vessel clots and organ problems in sepsis.
-
STeroids and enhanced Antibiotics for sepsis in Africa with HIV/TB (STARS)
This grant tests whether adding steroids and stronger antibiotics helps adults with severe sepsis tied to HIV/TB in areas with high TB rates.
-
Steroids and better antibiotics for sepsis in people with AIDS in Africa
This study tests whether adding hydrocortisone and stronger antibiotics can improve survival for adults with sepsis who also have AIDS or advanced immune suppression in regions with high TB.
-
Coordinating ARDS, Pneumonia, and Sepsis research to improve care
A national coordinating center helps researchers studying ARDS and related infections work together more efficiently to learn what helps patients recover.
-
Role of MMP3 in heart dysfunction during sepsis
This research tests whether blocking MMP3 can protect the heart and improve survival during sepsis in adults.
-
Sepsis patient care guided by Ugandan-wide immune profiling
A large NIH-funded study will map how the immune system behaves during sepsis in people in Uganda to improve personalized care for sepsis patients.
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.