Indirect Versus Direct Standardization Methods for Reporting Healthcare-Associated Infections: An Analysis of Central Line–Associated Bloodstream Infections in Maryland

Controversy exists as to whether healthcare-associated infection data should be presented using indirect (current CMS/CDC methodology) or direct standardization. We applied both methods to central line-associated bloodstream infection data from 45 acute-care hospitals in Maryland from 2012–2014. We found that the two methods generate different hospital rankings with payment implications.