The goal of this prospective observational study of
patients with cSSTIs was to explore the current epidemiology,
treatment, and resulting clinical outcomes of
these infections. A clearer understanding of the current
practice patterns in managing patients with cSSTIs in
usual clinical settings should help in the development of
strategies to improve the treatment of these common
and potentially severe infections.
Methods
We enrolled patients hospitalized between June 2008
and December 2009 in 56 U.S. hospitals that we selected
to include those of varying size, ownership status, academic
affiliation, and geographic regions. We selected
investigators based on their experience working on the
inpatient service at each of these hospitals. An Institutional
Review Board approved the protocol for each site;
9 sites used a central ethical review board (Quorum
Review, Seattle, WA), while the rest used their local
Institutional Review Board and all enrolled patients
provided informed consent.