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. 2014 Feb;26(1):7-11.
doi: 10.5455/msm.2014.26.7-11. Epub 2014 Feb 20.

Epidemiological surveillance of bacterial nosocomial infections in the surgical intensive care unit

Amer Custovic  1 , Jasmina Smajlovic  2 , Sadeta Hadzic  1 , Sead Ahmetagic  3 , Nijaz Tihic  2 , Haris Hadzagic  4
Affiliations

Epidemiological surveillance of bacterial nosocomial infections in the surgical intensive care unit

Amer Custovic et al. Mater Sociomed. 2014 Feb.

Abstract

Introduction: Intensive care units (ICUs) are associated with a greater risk of developing nosocomial infections (NIs) than other departments.

Aim: The aim of this study was to determine the rate, the site and causative organisms of NIs in the surgical ICU at University Clinical Center Tuzla.

Methods: All patients admitted to the surgical ICU were followed prospectively, for the development of NIs (January-December 2010). Determination of NIs was performed using standardized the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) criteria.

Results: 94 out of 834 patients (11.27%) developed NIs. Respiratory tract infections were seen in 56 (60%), urinary tract infections in 15 (16%) and gastrointestinal tract infections in 8 (9%) patients. Other infections identified were surgical site, bloodstream and skin infections. Gram-negative organisms were reported in approximately 75% of cases (78.7% extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL)-producers). Klebsiella pneumoniae was the commonest (51.0%), followed by Proteus mirabilis (21.3%) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (10.6%). Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) (16%), and Clostridium difficile (9.6%) were the commonest among gram-positive bacteria.

Conclusion: Respiratory and urinary tract infections made up the great majority of NIs. ICU patients are more susceptible to NIs, emphasizing the importance of continuous surveillance and enforcement of specific infection control measures.

Keywords: ESBL-producing strains; nosocomial infections; surgical intensive care unit; surveillance.

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Conflict of interest statement

CONFLICT OF INTEREST: NONE DECLARED.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Distribution rates of nosocomial infections in the surgical intensive care unit by months during 2010.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Major sites of nosocomial infections in the surgical intensive care unit. Abbreviations: UTI, urinary tract infection; RTI, respiratory tract infection; BSI, bloodstream infection; SSI, surgical site infection; GIT, gastrointestinal tract; inf.; infections.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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