Epidemiology of nosocomial outbreaks: 14-year experience at a tertiary-care center.

Twelve nosocomial outbreaks over 14 years at a tertiary-care center in Mexico are described. Overall mortality was 25.8%, one half due to pneumonia. The most common organism was Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Incidence was three outbreaks per 10,000 discharges; outbreak-related infections comprised 1.56% of all nosocomial infections. Incidence in the intensive care unit was 10-fold higher.