INTRODUCTION: According to data in the literature, the number of nosocomial infections in the ICU is far higher than in non-ICU patients. As a result of improving lifesaving technologies, the risk of nosocomial infections increases in ICUs. Utilization of epidemiological methods is recommended for the detection and follow up of nosocomial infections. AIMS: Prospective surveillance to assess the epidemiology of nosocomial infections in an ICU. METHODS: Kenézy Hospital is a country hospital with 1637 beds and a 16-bed central ICU. During the investigated period (01. 04. 2004-31. 03. 2006) 1490 patients, with a total 8058 ICU days, were hospitalised in the mixed medical-surgical ICU. The commonest primary diagnosis were respiratory failure, multiple trauma and head injury. Surveillance was performed by a trained infection control nurse and was supervised by an infection control physician and infectious disease physician. CDC definitions were used to define nosocomial infections. RESULTS: A total of 194 nosocomial infections in 134 patients were detected during the study period. The overall incidence and incidence density of nosocomial infections were 13.0 per 100 patients and 24.0 per 1000 patient-days. Respiratory tract infections (44.3%) were the most frequent nosocomial infection, followed by urinary tract (21.1%) and bloodstream infections (20.1%). CONCLUSIONS: Nosocomial surveillance is useful in detecting nosocomial infections in ICU. A multidisciplinary approach and partnership between the physicians and infection control nurses is needed. Patient-to-nurse ratio is an independent risk factor for nosocomial infections in intensive care, this must be kept in mind when planning rationalization of the number of nursing staff.
INTRODUCTION: According to data in the literature, the number of nosocomial infections in the ICU is far higher than in non-ICU patients. As a result of improving lifesaving technologies, the risk of nosocomial infections increases in ICUs. Utilization of epidemiological methods is recommended for the detection and follow up of nosocomial infections. AIMS: Prospective surveillance to assess the epidemiology of nosocomial infections in an ICU. METHODS: Kenézy Hospital is a country hospital with 1637 beds and a 16-bed central ICU. During the investigated period (01. 04. 2004-31. 03. 2006) 1490 patients, with a total 8058 ICU days, were hospitalised in the mixed medical-surgical ICU. The commonest primary diagnosis were respiratory failure, multiple trauma and head injury. Surveillance was performed by a trained infection control nurse and was supervised by an infection control physician and infectious disease physician. CDC definitions were used to define nosocomial infections. RESULTS: A total of 194 nosocomial infections in 134 patients were detected during the study period. The overall incidence and incidence density of nosocomial infections were 13.0 per 100 patients and 24.0 per 1000 patient-days. Respiratory tract infections (44.3%) were the most frequent nosocomial infection, followed by urinary tract (21.1%) and bloodstream infections (20.1%). CONCLUSIONS: Nosocomial surveillance is useful in detecting nosocomial infections in ICU. A multidisciplinary approach and partnership between the physicians and infection control nurses is needed. Patient-to-nurse ratio is an independent risk factor for nosocomial infections in intensive care, this must be kept in mind when planning rationalization of the number of nursing staff.