Incidence of healthcare associated infection in the surgical ICU of a tertiary care hospital

Frequency and risk factors of nosocomial infections in a trauma center: a case study from the Beni Suef University Hospital, Egypt

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

Hospital-acquired infections (HAI) cause a significant risk to patient maintenance and wellbeing, particularly within the specialized environment of a trauma center. This study focuses on investigating the frequency of HAI in a trauma center through a comprehensive surveillance and monitoring system.

METHODS

This observational study, conducted between January 2023 and June 2023, focused on the 16-bed trauma center. HAI diagnoses were based on the centers for disease control and prevention (CDC) definitions that typically include specific criteria for different types of infections, for example, urinary tract infections, surgical site infections, bloodstream infections, and others.

RESULTS

Among the 160 trauma center-admitted patients, 89 were included in the study. 44 patients contracted HAI, resulting in a frequency of 49.4%. The incidence rates (IR) were 21/1000 central venous catheter (CVC) days for catheter-related bloodstream infections (CRBSI), 10/100 urinary catheter days for catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTI), and 34/1000 ventilator days for ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP).

CONCLUSION

The HAI percentages noticed in the trauma center are comparatively lower than those reported in other developing country hospitals. The incidence of VAP aligns with findings from other studies.

Prevalence and Risk Factors of Healthcare-Associated Infections among Hospitalized Pediatric Patients: Point Prevalence Survey in Thailand 2021

BACKGROUND

Healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) pose a grave threat to patient safety, morbidity, and mortality, contributing to antimicrobial resistance. Thus, we estimated the point prevalence, risk factors, types, and pathogens of HAIs in hospitalized pediatric patients.

METHODS

A point prevalence survey (PPS) of HAIs in hospitalized pediatric patients < 18 years old was conducted from March to May 2021. Outcomes, risk factors, and types of HAIs associated with HAIs in 41 hospitals across Thailand were collected.

RESULTS

The prevalence of HAIs was 3.9% (95% CI 2.9-5.0%) (56/1443). By ages < 1 month, 1 month-2 years, 2-12 years, and 12-18 years, the prevalence of HAIs was 4.2%, 3.3%, 4.1%, and 3.0%, respectively (p = 0.80). Significant independent risk factors were extended hospital length of stay (LOS) and central venous catheter (CVC) use. Compared to an LOS of <4 days, LOSs of 4-7 days, 8-14 days, and >14 days had adjusted odds ratios (aORs) of 2.65 (95% CI 1.05, 6.68), 5.19 (95% CI 2.00, 13.4), and 9.03 (95% CI 3.97, 20.5), respectively. The use of a CVC had an aOR of 2.45 (95% CI 1.06-5.66). Lower respiratory tract infection (LRTI) was the most common HAI type (46.4%: 26/56). The highest prevalence of HAIs was predominantly observed in LRTI diagnoses, with the highest among these in the <1 month age category at 2.3% (17/738).

CONCLUSION

The prevalence of HAIs in hospitalized pediatric patients was 3.9%. Extended LOS and use of CVC were HAI risk factors. A strategy for reducing LOS and reviewing insertion indications or the early planned removal of a CVC was implemented. The surveillance of HAIs stands as a cornerstone and fundamental component of IPC, offering invaluable insights that enhance hospital IPC interventions aimed at preventing HAIs.

Microbial Profile, Antimicrobial Susceptibility, and Prevalence of MDR/XDR Pathogens Causing Medical Device Associated Infections: A Single Center Study

Background

There is a scarcity of studies evaluating the microbial profile, antimicrobial susceptibility, and prevalence of MDR/XDR pathogens causing medical device-associated infections (MDAIs). The present study was sought in this regard.

Materials and methods

An ambispective-observational, site-specific, surveillance-based study was performed for a period of 2 years in the intensive care unit (ICU) and high dependency unit (HDU) (medicine/surgery) of a Tertiary-care University Hospital. Three commonly encountered MDAIs including central-line-associated bloodstream infections (CLABSI), catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTI), and ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP), were targeted.

Results and conclusion

Of the total 90 patients, 46 (51.1%) were admitted to the ICU (medicine/surgery), and the remaining 44 (48.8%) were admitted to the HDU (medicine/surgery). The median (P25-P75) age of the total patients was 55 (43.1-62.3) years. Male 61 (67.8%) preponderance was observed. Sixty-two of 90 (68.9%) were immunocompromised. A total of 104 pathogens causing MDAIs were isolated. Staphylococcus epidermidis (CoNS), and Staphylococcus capitis were commonly isolated multi-drug resistant (MDR) gram-positive pathogens causing MDAIs. Similarly, carba-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae, Stenotrophomonas maltophilia, and carba-resistant Acinetobacter baumanni were commonly isolated MDR gram-negative pathogens causing MDAIs. Five of 9 (55.5%) K. pneumoniae and three of 9 (33.3%) S. maltophilia isolates were found to be extensively drug resistant. Among Candida, C. parapsilosis was the most prevalent fungal pathogen causing CLABSI and CAUTI in patients admitted to ICU/HDU.

How to cite this article

Suryawanshi VR, Pawar A, Purandare B, Vijayvargiya N, Sancheti S, Philip S, et al. Microbial Profile, Antimicrobial Susceptibility, and Prevalence of MDR/XDR Pathogens Causing Medical Device Associated Infections: A Single Center Study. Indian J Crit Care Med 2024;28(2):152-164.

Surveillance of health-care associated infections in an intensive care unit at a tertiary care hospital in Central India

Introduction

Because the risk of health-care associated infections (HAIs) is high in intensive care units, and HAIs are one of the causes of morbidity and mortality and affects the overall quality of health care, the continuous monitoring of HAIs in intensive care patients is essential.

Aim and objectives

This descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out over a period of five years in a tertiary-care teaching hospital. The aim of the study was to investigate the main and specific types of health-care associated Infections and determine the microbiological profile and antimicrobial susceptibility rates of isolates in patients with HAI.

Methods

: The active surveillance method was used to detect HAIs in patients who spent over 48 hr in a targeted ICU. Patients with blood stream infections (BSI), central line-associated bloodstream infection (CLABSI), catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTI) and ventilator-associated events (VAE) were included in the study. HAI were diagnosed based on the Centre for Disease Control (CDC)'s National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN) updated definitions of HAIs.

Results

A total of 121,051 patient days, including 7,989 central line days, 64,557 urinary catheter days, and 18,443 ventilator days, were recorded in the study population and 832 HAIs were diagnosed (incidence rate 6.9%). The overall rates of BSI, CLABSI, CAUTI and possible ventilator-associated pneumonia (p-VAP) were 3.7, 10.6, 2.1 and 13.4/1,000 device days, respectively. The most common organism isolated from BSI was Acinetobacter baumanii (n=322, 29%), followed by Klebsiella pneumoniae 225 (n=225, 20.3%). 79.8% of Acinetobacter baumanii strains were resistant to imipenem, 77.1% to ciprofloxacin and 76.4% to ampicillin. The most common organisms isolated from CAUTI were non-albicans Candida species (n=38, 18%), followed by E. coli and Citrobacter spp. (each n=33, each 15.7%).

Conclusions

A trend of increasing resistance of Acinetobacter baumannii to carbapenems was observed. Risk factor analysis showed invasive procedures during sepsis and organophosphorous poisoning as significant factors.

A Two-Year Surveillance of Central Line-Associated Bloodstream Infections in the Trauma ICU of a Tertiary Care Hospital in India

Aim The aim of the study is to identify the risk factors and mortality associated with central line-associated bloodstream infection (CLABSI) and to investigate the incidence and associated etiology in trauma patients admitted to the trauma ICU (TICU) of a tertiary care teaching hospital in Northern India. Materials and methods The study was a prospective study conducted in the trauma ICU of a tertiary care teaching hospital in India from November 2020 to October 2022. Adult patients >18 years of age who were on central line for >48 hours were included in the study. The automated blood culture system BacT/ALERT 3D (bioMérieux, Durham, NC) was used for microbial detection from blood samples. We recorded patients' daily progress, and catheter-related data was collected and used as variables. All the data was analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 22.0 (IBM SPSS Statistics, Armonk, NY) to evaluate the risk factors associated with CLABSI. Result A total of 516 admissions occurred during the surveillance period, out of which 352 patients fulfilled the inclusion criteria and were enrolled in the study. Out of these 352 patients, a total of 74 patients developed central line-associated bloodstream infection (CLABSI). Thus, the incidence of CLABSI was 16.4 per 1000 central line days and 13.2 per 1000 inpatient days with a 0.8 device utilization ratio (DUR). The most common organisms isolated from these CLABSI cases were Acinetobacter species (23%), followed by Escherichia coli (16.5%) and Staphylococcus aureus (15.6%). The independent healthcare-associated risk factors for CLABSI were longer length of ICU stay and prolonged duration of central venous catheterization. The most common comorbidity associated with CLABSI was diabetes mellitus (20.3%), followed by hypertension (14.8%), and the mortality rate was 41.9%. Conclusion The healthcare-associated risk factors such as longer length of ICU stay and prolonged duration of central venous catheterization are the risk factors for developing central line-associated bloodstream infections (BSI).

Patterns of admission and outcome of patients admitted to the intensive care unit of Addis Ababa Burn Emergency and Trauma Hospital

Data on patterns of intensive care unit (ICU) admission including age, and severity of illness is essential in developing better strategies for resource allocation to improve outcomes. A 2-year cross-sectional study of 268 patients using a systematic random sampling and structured questionnaire obtained from the database was conducted with the aim of examining patterns of admission among patients admitted to the ICU of Addis Ababa burn emergency and trauma (AaBET) hospital. Data were entered into Epi-Info version 3.5.3 and exported to SPSS version 24 for analysis. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression were used for association. A P-value of 0.05 at a 95% confidence interval was declared clinically significant. Of the 268 charts reviewed, 193 (73.5%) of them were men with a mean age of 32.6 years. Trauma accounted for 163 (53.4%) of admissions. Burn admission category, Glasgow coma score of 3-8, and not receiving pre-referral treatment were found to be substantially correlated with mortality in both bivariate and multivariate analysis. Trauma constituted a sizeable cause of ICU admission. Road traffic accidents of traumatic brain injuries were the major causes of admission. Developing good pre-referral care equipped with manpower and ambulance services will improve the outcome.

Nosocomial infections in an Iranian educational hospital: an evaluation study of the Iranian nosocomial infection surveillance system

Background

Nosocomial infection (NI) or cross-infection is a major health problem in hospitals worldwide.

Aim

This study aimed to report the status of NIs and to evaluate the Iranian nosocomial infection surveillance system (INISS) in a teaching hospital in the south of Iran.

Methods

This is a comparative historical study on the records of hospital admitted patients from 2018 to 2019. Data on patients who were diagnosed with NI was extracted from the INISS database. The database includes data on the incidence of different types of NIs in each hospital ward, the patient’s infection outcome, the agents involved, and the site of infection.

Results

The results indicated that the rate of NI (cases of NI/ 100 admissions) in the hospital was %2.95. The highest rate of NIs was reported from ICUs. Of the infected patients, 45.61% were female, 98.95% had underlying diseases, and 30.88% died due to nosocomial infections. The median (IQR) of the duration of hospital stay among infected patients was 13 (7–18). The most common site of infection was VAE (ventilator-associated events) (39.40%) and the most common isolated agent, irrespective of the organ involved, was Acinetobacter (spp.) (22.75%).

Conclusions

We reported ICU and Acinetobacter (spp.) as the most affected ward and most common agent involved in recorded NIs respectively. The rate of NI in the study hospital was exceptionally low when compared to its counterparts in a few other developed countries. The INISS needs to be further evaluated with regard to the completeness and representativeness of the surveillance system. Also, we need to evaluate the adherence to the INISS guidelines among staff and physicians in reporting the NIs.

Bacterial profile and their antimicrobial susceptibility patterns in patients admitted at MaddaWalabu University Goba Referral Hospital, Ethiopia: a cross sectional study

BACKGROUND

Hospital acquired infections (HAIs) are one of the global concerns in resource limited settings. The aim of the study was to determine bacteria profile and their antimicrobial susceptibility patterns among patients admitted at surgical and medical wards.

METHODS

A hospital based cross-sectional study was conducted from November 2016 to July 2017 in MaddaWalabu University Goba Referral Hospital. Urine and wound swabs were processed and standard disk diffusion test was done to assess susceptibility pattern. Association among variables was determined by Chi-square test.

RESULTS

Among 207 patients enrolled, 24.6% developed HAI, of which, 62.7% and 37.3% were from surgical and medical wards, respectively. The male to female ratio was 1.5:1. The age ranged from 19 to 74 years with a mean of 41.65(±16.48) years. A total 62 bacteria were isolated in which majority of the isolates were gram negative bacteria. Most isolates were resistance to most of the antibiotics tested but sensitive to Ceftriaxone, Norfloxacin and Ciprofloxacin.

CONCLUSION

Due to the presence of high level drug resistant bacteria, empirical treatment to HAI may not be effective. Therefore, treatment should be based on the result of culture and sensitivity.

Ventilator-associated pneumonia among ICU patients in WHO Southeast Asian region: A systematic review

Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) is one of the most frequent ICU-acquired infections and a leading cause of death among patients in Intensive Care Unit (ICU). The South East Asian Region is a part of the world with limited health resources where infectious diseases are still underestimated. We aimed to review the literature in this part of the world to describe incidence, mortality and microbiological evidence of VAP and explore preventive and control strategies. We selected 24 peer-reviewed articles published from January 1, 2000 to September 1, 2020 from electronic databases and manual searching for observational studies among adult patients diagnosed with VAP expressed per thousand days admitted in ICU. The VAP rates ranged from 2.13 to 116 per thousand days, varying among different countries of this region. A significant rate of mortality was observed in 13 studies ranging from 16.2% to 74.1%. Gram negative organisms like Acinetobacter spp., Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Klebsiella pneumoniae and Gram-positive organisms like Staphylococcus aureus and Enterococcus species were frequently found. Our findings suggest an alarming situation of VAP among patients of most of the countries of this region with increasing incidence, mortality and antibiotic resistance. Thus, there is an urgent need for cost effective control and preventive measures like interventional studies and educational programs on staff training, hand hygiene, awareness on antibiotic resistance, implementation of antibiotic stewardship programs and appropriate use of ventilator bundle approach.

Catheter-related blood stream infections: prevalence, risk factors and antimicrobial resistance pattern

Background

Intravascular devices have significant potential for producing iatrogenic diseases resulting in catheter-related blood stream infections (CRBSIs). A study was undertaken to find the prevalence of CRBSI among patients in acute wards and to analyze the associated risk factors, causative pathogens with their antibiotic susceptibility (ABST) patterns.

Methods

Randomly ten days per month were chosen, for a period of two years. All the acute wards patients who were on indwelling blood catheters were identified. Those fulfilling the CRBSI criteria were further worked up for confirmation of diagnosis by differential time to positivity. The catheter tip was cultured by Maki's semiquantitative method. ABST of the isolates obtained was performed by Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion method.

Results

The prevalence of CRBSI was found to be 39.25% with the most common organism isolate being Serratia marcescens (23.81%). The immunocompromised status of the patients and catheterisation time were significant risk factors. Methicillin resistance was found to be 33.33% in coagulase-negative staphylococci. The resistance to vancomycin among the Entercoccus faecium isolates was found to be 33.33%. Among the gram negatives, resistance to aminoglycosides, fluoroquinolones and third-generation cephalosporins was high.

Conclusion

The study highlights the importance of regular surveillance programs, an efficient infection control program, strict adherence to antiseptic measures and use of a rational antibiotic policy for the early diagnosis and better management of CRBSI.

Prevalence and Predictive Factors for Nosocomial Infection in the Military Hospitals: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Background:

To assess prevalence and predictive factors for Nosocomial Infection (NI) in the military hospitals.

Methods:

PubMed, Scopus, Cochrane and PreQuest databases were systematically searched for studies published between Jan 1991 and Oct 2017 that reported the prevalence of NI and predictive factors among military hospitals. We performed the meta-analysis using a random effects model. Subgroup analysis was done for heterogeneity and the Egger test to funnel plots was used to assess publication bias.

Results:

Twenty-eight studies with 250,374 patients were evaluated in meta-analysis. The overall pooled estimate of the prevalence of NI was 8% (95% 6.0–9.0). The pooled prevalence was 2% (95% CI: 2.0–3.0) when we did sensitivity analysis and excluding a study. The prevalence was highest in burn unit (32%) and ICU (15%). Reported risk factors for NI included gender (male vs female, OR: 1.45), age (Age≥65, OR: 2.4), diabetes mellitus (OR: 2.32), inappropriate use of antibiotics (OR: 2.35), received mechanical support (OR: 2.81), co-morbidities (OR: 2.97), admitted into the ICU (OR: 2.26), smoking (OR: 1.36) and BMI (OR: 1.09).

Conclusion:

The review revealed a difference of prevalence in military hospitals with other hospitals and shows a high prevalence of NI in burn units. Therefore careful disinfection and strict procedures of infection control are necessary in places that serve immunosuppressed individuals such as burn patient. Moreover, a vision for the improvement of reports and studies in military hospitals to report the rate of these infections are necessary.

Incidence and risk factors for hospital-acquired infection among paediatric patients in a teaching hospital: a prospective study in southeast Ethiopia

OBJECTIVES

In order to maximise the prevention of hospital-acquired infections (HAIs) and antimicrobial resistance, data on the incidence of HAIs are crucial. In Ethiopia, data about the occurrence of HAIs among hospitalised paediatric patients are lacking. We aim to determine the incidence and risk factors of HAIs among paediatric patients in Ethiopia.

DESIGN

A prospective cohort study.

SETTING

A teaching hospital in southeast Ethiopia.

PARTICIPANTS

448 hospitalised paediatric patients admitted between 1 November 2018 and 30 June 2019.

PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOME MEASURES

Incidence and risk factors of hospital-acquired infections.

RESULTS

A total of 448 paediatric patients were followed for 3227 patient days. The median age of the patients was 8 months (IQR: 2-26 months). The incidence rate of HAIs was 17.7 per 1000 paediatric days of follow-up; while the overall cumulative incidence was 12.7% (95% CI 9.8% to 15.8%) over 8 months. Children who stayed greater than 6 days in the hospital (median day) (adjusted risk ratio (RR): 2.58, 95% CI 1.52 to 4.38), and children with underlying disease conditions of severe acute malnutrition (adjusted RR: 2.83, 95% CI 1.61 to 4.97) had higher risks of developing HAIs.

CONCLUSIONS

The overall cumulative incidence of HAIs was about 13 per 100 admitted children. Length of stay in the hospital and underlying conditions of severe acute malnutrition were found to be important factors associated with increased risk of HAIs.

Device-associated health care-associated infections: The effectiveness of a 3-year prevention and control program in the Republic of Cyprus

BACKGROUND

Device-associated health care-associated infections (DA-HAIs) are a major threat to patient safety, particularly in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of a bundle of infection control measures to reduce DA-HAIs in the ICU of a General Hospital in the Republic of Cyprus, over a 3-year period.

METHODS

We studied 599 ICU patients with a length of stay (LOS) for at least 48 hours. Our prospective cohort study was divided into three surveillance phases. Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP), central line-associated blood-stream infections (CLABSI), and catheter-associated blood-stream infections (CAUTI) incidence rates, LOS, and mortality were calculated before, during, and after the infection prevention and control programme.

RESULTS

There was a statistically significant reduction in the number of DA-HAI events during the surveillance periods, associated with DA-HAIs prevention efforts. In 2015 (prior to programme implementation), the baseline DA-HAIs instances were 43: 16 VAP (10.1/1000 Device Days), 21 (15.9/1000DD) CLABSIs, and 6 (2.66/1000DD) CAUTIs, (n = 198). During the second phase (2016), CLABSIs prevention measures were implemented and the number of infections were 24: 14 VAP (12.21/1000DD), 4 (4.2/1000DD) CLABSIs, and 6 (3.22/1000DD) CAUTIs, (n = 184). During the third phase (2017), VAP and CAUTI prevention measures were again implemented and the rates were 6: (3 VAP: 12.21/1000DD), 2 (1.95/1000DD) CLABSIs, and 1 (0.41/1000DD) CAUTIs, (n = 217). There was an overall reduction of 87% in the total number of DA-HAIs instances for the period 1 January 2015 to 31 December 2017.

CONCLUSIONS

The significant overall reduction in DA-HAI rates indicates that a comprehensive infection control programme can affect DA-HAI rates.

Management of hospital-acquired infections among patients hospitalized at Zewditu memorial hospital, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia: A prospective cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND

Hospital-Acquired Infections (HAIs) are acquired when the patient is hospitalized for more than 48 hours. In Ethiopia data are scarce in management appropriateness of HAIs. Hence, this study was aimed to assess the prevalence and management of HAIs among patients admitted at Zewditu Memorial Hospital.

METHOD

A facility based prospective cross sectional study was conducted from March 1, 2017 to August 30, 2017. The sample was proportionally allocated among (medical, pediatrics, gynecology and obstetrics and surgical) wards, based on patient flow. Data were collected using data abstraction format and supplemented by key informant interview. Interview was made on eight physicians and four microbiologists who have been working in the wards during study period. Management appropriateness was assessed using Infectious Disease Society of America guideline and experts opinion (Infectious disease specialist). A multivariate logistic regression was used to identify factors associated with HAIs.

RESULT

The prevalence of HAIs was 19.8%. Surgical Site Infection (SSI) and pneumonia accounted for 20 (24.7%) of the infections. Culture and sensitivity was done for 24 (29.6%) patients. Of the 81 patients who developed HAIs, 54 (66.67%) of them were treated inappropriately. Physicians' response for this variation was information gap, forgetfulness, affordability and availability issue of first line medications. Younger age (AOR (Adjusted odds ratio) = 8.53, 95% CI: 2.67-27.30); male gender (AOR = 2.06, 95% CI: 1.01-4.22); longer hospital stay (AOR = 0.17, 95% CI: 0.06-0.51); and previous hospital admission (AOR = 3.22, 95% CI: 1.76-5.89); were independent predictors of HAIs.

CONCLUSION

Prevalence of HAIs and inappropriate management were substantially high in this study. Pneumonia and SSI were the common types of HAIs. Locally conformable guidelines could help to correct such problems.

The Clasp of CLABSI

How to cite this article: Gopal PB. The Clasp of CLABSI. Indian J Crit Care Med 2020;24(1):3–5.

The Effects of Oral Care Protocol on the Incidence of Ventilation-Associated Pneumonia in Selected Intensive Care Units in Jordan

PURPOSE

This study aims to evaluate the effects of oral care protocol on the incidence of ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) at selected intensive care units (ICUs) in Jordan using clinical pulmonary infection score.

METHODS

A quasi-experimental design was used, and 1 large teaching hospital from the Jordanian capital, along with 2 hospitals from the southern region, was selected. A total of 218 patients participated, among which VAP risk in 2 independent groups was evaluated through the Clinical Pulmonary Infection Score sheet.

RESULTS

The VAP incidence rate was significantly lower in the intervention group (n = 102) as compared with control group (n = 116) (21.6 vs 35.3, respectively; P = .018); in addition, ICU stay and intubation period were significantly shorter among the intervention group. A higher risk of VAP was independently predicted by previous lung diseases (odds ratio [OR], 1.441; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.185-1.88), open suctioning system (OR, 2.536; 95% CI, 1.261-5.101), and duration of intubation (OR, 1.770; 95% CI, 0.845-2.220). The oral care protocol has effectively improved ventilated patients' oral health, which has statistically reduced the incidence of VAP. It occurred more frequently among patients who have lung disease and those who were intubated for more than 7 days and have an open suctioning system.

CONCLUSION

Health care teams should ensure that effective care protocol is implemented among patients.

Evidence-based guidelines for prevention of ventilator-associated pneumonia: Evaluation of intensive care unit nurses' adherence

Using self-reported questionnaires, this descriptive study assessed nurses' adherence to ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) guidelines, which was found to be 81.3%. Although items concerning infection control achieved the highest scores, items concerning the suctioning process achieved the lowest scores. Participants' score of VAP care knowledge had a significant positive correlation with their score of VAP guidelines adherence. Addressing the strength and weakness domains that affect nurses' adherence is crucial for health care administrators at different managerial levels, which may help in executing different strategies to improve nurses' adherence to VAP strategies.

Prospective surveillance of device-associated health care-associated infection in an intensive care unit of a tertiary care hospital in New Delhi, India

BACKGROUND

Surveillance of health care-associated infections (HAIs) plays a key role in the hospital infection control program and reduction of HAIs. In India, most of the surveillance of HAIs is reported from private sector hospitals that do not depict the situation of government sector hospitals. Other studies do not confirm with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN) surveillance criterion, or deal with ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) instead of ventilator-associated event (VAE). The aim of this study was to identify the incidences of 3 device-associated HAIs (DA-HAIs) (VAE, central line-associated bloodstream infection [CLABSI], and catheter-associated urinary tract infection [CAUTI]) by active surveillance using CDC's NHSN surveillance criteria and to identify the pathogens associated with these DA-HAIs.

METHODS

This was a prospective surveillance study (January 2015-December 2016) conducted in an intensive care unit (ICU) of a large, tertiary care, government hospital situated in Delhi, India. Targeted surveillance was done as per the CDC's NHSN 2016 surveillance criteria.

RESULTS

There were 343 patients admitted to the ICU that were included in the study. The surveillance data was reported over 3,755 patient days. A DA-HAIs attack rate of 20.1 per 100 admissions and incidence of 18.3 per 1,000 patient days was observed. The duration of use for each device for patients with DA-HAIs was significantly longer than for patients without DA-HAIs. The device utilization ratios of central line, ventilator, and urinary catheters were 0.57, 0.85, and 0.72, respectively. The crude excess length of stay for patients with DA-HAI was 13 days, and crude excess mortality rate was 11.8%. VAE, CLABSI, and CAUTI rates were 11.8, 7.4, and 9.7 per 1,000 device days, respectively. Among 69 DA-HAIs reported, pathogens could be identified for 49 DA-HAI cases. Klebsiella spp was the most common organism isolated, accounting 28.5% for all DA-HAI cases, followed by Enterococcus spp (24.4%). The most common organisms causing VAE, CAUTI, and CLABSI were Acinetobacter (6/15, 40%), Enterococcus spp (11/31, 35.4%), and Candida spp (5/19, 26.3%), respectively. Most of the gram-negative organisms were carbapenem resistant; however, none of the isolates were colistin resistant.

CONCLUSIONS

To reduce the risk of infection in hospitalized patients, DA-HAI surveillance is of primary importance because it effectively describes and addresses the importance and characteristics of the threatening situation created by DA-HAIs. The present surveillance shows high rates of ICU-onset DA-HAIs and high resistance patterns of organisms causing HAIs, representing a major risk to patient safety.

Healthcare Associated Infections in a Resource Limited Setting

INTRODUCTION

Health Care associated Infections (HAI) are the most common complications affecting the hospitalized patients. HAI are more common in developing and under developed countries. However, there are no systematic surveillance programs in these countries.

AIM

To find out the burden, predisposing factors and multidrug resistant organisms causing HAI in a resource limited setting.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This prospective observational study was done at Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research (JIPMER). Patients aged 13 years or more with stay of more than 48 hours in a 16 bedded Medical Intensive Care Unit (MICU) between November 2011 and April 2013 were included in the study. Patients were prospectively followed up till discharge or death for the development of HAI. Device associated HAI like Ventilator Associated Pneumonia (VAP), Catheter Related-Blood Stream Infection (CR-BSI) and Catheter Associated-Urinary Tract Infections (CA-UTI) were studied. Standard laboratory methods were used for identification of microorganisms causing HAI and to test their antibiotic sensitivity.

RESULTS

A total of 346 patients were included in the study with median age of 38 years. Common indications for admission to Medical Intensive Care Unit (MICU) were poisoning (31.5%); neurological illness (23.4%) like Guillian-Barre syndrome, tetanus, meningitis, encephalitis; respiratory illness (14.5%) like pneumonia, acute respiratory distress syndrome and tropical infections (7.2%) like malaria, scrub typhus, leptospirosis. Fifty percent (174/346) patients developed one or more HAI with VAP being the most common. The rates of HAI per 1000 device days for VAP, CR-BSI, CA-UTI were 72.56, 3.98 and 12.4, respectively. Acinetobacter baumannii was the most common organism associated with HAI. Multidrug resistance was seen in 74% of the isolates.

CONCLUSION

The burden of HAI, especially with MDR organisms, in resource constrained setting like ours is alarming. There is urgent need for infection control and monitoring system to reduce HAI.

Device-Associated Healthcare-Associated Infections (DA-HAI) and the caveat of multiresistance in a multidisciplinary intensive care unit

BACKGROUND

Device-Associated Healthcare-Associated Infections (DA-HAI), including Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia (VAP), Central-Line-Associated Blood Stream Infection (CLABSI), and Catheter-Related Urinary Tract Infection (CAUTI), are considered as principal contributors to healthcare hazard and threat to patient safety as they can cause prolonged hospital stay, sepsis, and mortality in the ICU. The study intends to characterize DA-HAI in a tertiary care multidisciplinary ICU of a teaching hospital in eastern India.

METHODS

This prospective outcome-surveillance study was conducted among 2157 ICU patients of a 760-bedded teaching hospital in Eastern India. Clinical, laboratory and environmental surveillance, and screening of HCPs were conducted using the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)'s National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN) definitions and methods.

RESULTS

With 8824 patient/bed/ICU days and 14,676 device days, pooled average device utilization ratio was 1.66, total episodes of DA-HAI were 114, and mean monthly rates of DA-HAI, VAP, CLABSI, and CAUTI were 4.75, 2, 1.4, and 1.25/1000 device days. Most common pathogens isolated from DA-HAI patients were Klebsiella pneumoniae (24.6%), Escherichia coli (21.9%), and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (20.2%). All Acinetobacter baumanii, >80% K. pneumoniae and E. coli, and >70% P. aeruginosa were susceptible only to colistin and tigecycline. One P. aeruginosa isolate was panresistant.

CONCLUSION

Mean rates of VAP, CLABSI, and CAUTI were 14.4, 8.1, and 4.5 per 1000 device days, which are comparable with Indian and global ICUs. Patients and HCPs form important reservoirs of infection. Resolute conviction and sustained momentum in Infection Control Initiatives are an essential step toward patient safety.

Point prevalence of hospital-acquired infections in two teaching hospitals of Amhara region in Ethiopia

Purpose

Hospital-acquired infection (HAI) is a major safety issue affecting the quality of care of hundreds of millions of patients every year, in both developed and developing countries, including Ethiopia. In Ethiopia, there is no comprehensive research that presents the whole picture of HAIs in hospitals. The objective of this study was to examine the nature and extent of HAIs in Ethiopia.

Methods

A repeated cross-sectional study was conducted in two teaching hospitals. All eligible inpatients admitted for at least 48 hours on the day of the survey were included. The survey was conducted in dry and wet seasons of Ethiopia, that is, in March to April and July 2015. Physicians and nurses collected the data according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention definition of HAIs. Coded and cleaned data were transferred to SPSS 21 and STATA 13 for analysis. Univariate and multivariable logistic regression analyses were used to examine the prevalence of HAIs and relationship between explanatory and outcome variables.

Results

A total of 908 patients were included in this survey, the median age of the patients was 27 years (interquartile range: 16–40 years). A total of 650 (71.6%) patients received antimicrobials during the survey. There were 135 patients with HAI, with a mean prevalence of 14.9% (95% confidence interval 12.7–17.1). Culture results showed that Klebsiella spp. (22.44%) and Staphylococcus aureus (20.4%) were the most commonly isolated HAI-causing pathogens in these hospitals. The association of patient age and hospital type with the occurrence of HAI was statistically significant.

Conclusion

It was observed that the prevalence of HAI was high in the teaching hospitals. Surgical site infections and pneumonia were the most common types of HAIs. Hospital management should give more attention to promoting infection prevention practice for better control of HAIs in teaching hospitals.

Control of hospital acquired infections in the ICU: A service perspective

BACKGROUND

The service setting has some unique strengths and weaknesses that must be kept in mind when organizing Hospital acquired infections (HAI) prevention interventions.

METHODS

Following an initial study to gather data regarding HAI in the Surgical intensive care unit (ICU) we put into place various infection control interventions. The present study was carried out to analyse the effect of these interventions on the incidence of HAI in the ICU.

RESULTS

The total admissions to the ICU were 253 patients. Eighty eight patients (34.78%) were admitted for more than 48 hr, 165 patients stayed for less than 48 h. The frequency of HAI was 7.95% (95% CI 3.54, 15). Hospital acquired pneumonia was observed in 2 of the 88 patients (2.27%) (95% CI 0.38, 7.30) which amounted to 9.70 infections per 1000 ventilator days. Bloodstream infection was detected in 3 out of 88 patients (3.4%) (95% CI 0.87, 8.99) amounting to 6.54 fresh infections per 1000 Central Venous Catheter days. Urinary tract infection was observed in 2 (2.27%) (95% CI 0.38, 7.30) at 2.86 fresh infections per 1000 catheter days. As compared to the previous study we found that there was a decline of HAI ranging from 60 to 70%.

CONCLUSION

Our study demonstrated that by meticulously following infection control protocols especially tailored to the service setting the incidence of HAI's can be reduced. However, the challenge is in maintaining the gains achieved since there is a rapid turnover of manpower in the ICU and a lack of a structured ICU design model.