Abstract
The results of a study on the incidence of nosocomial infections in a 1800 bed University hospital are reported. The study, carried out over a 9 months period, included: 1) continuous microbiological surveillance, and 2) a clinical and epidemiological survey. On the basis of the microbiological data collected and analyzed by a computer data system, developed and employed for the control of nosocomial infections, a weekly bed-to-bed survey was carried out by the staff of the Institute of Infectious Diseases. Among 2777 suspected nosocomial infections, as revealed by microbiological monitoring, 701 were confirmed after the bed-to-bed survey. The nosocomial infection rate was 6.75 per 100 discharges. It was higher in the surgical than in the medical wards (7.3 and 6 per 100 discharges, respectively).
Nosocomial urinary tract infections were the most frequent (74.2%). The urinary infection rate was higher in the surgical than in the medical wards (5.3 and 4.6 per 100 discharges, respectively).
Escherichia coli (19.4%), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (19.3%), Proteus spp. (18.4%) were the pathogens most frequently associated with nosocomial infections. They were followed by Klebsiella pneumoniae (7.8%) and Staphylococcus aureus (6.5%) in frequency.
Among the risk factors, involved in nosocomial infections, the importance of catheterization was confirmed: among our patients with nosocomial urinary tract infections; 73.4% and 79.5% — in the medical and surgical wards, respectively -underwent urological instrumentation, mainly catheterization.
An analogous and more detailled study is now in progress and will be extended in the next years.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Bennet J.V., Scheckler W.E., Maki D.G. et al. (1970): Current national patterns - United States. Proceedings of the International Conference on Nosocomial Infections. - Atlanta, August 42-9. 2.Center for Disease Control, Altanta, Georgia: Outline for Surveillance and control of nosocomial infections, Revised June 1972.
EickhoffT.C., BrachmanP.S., BennettJ.V. et al. (1969): Surveillance of nosocomial infections in community hospitals. 1. Surveillance methods, effectivenes, and initial results. - J. Infect. Dis. 120, 305.
HaleyR.W., QuadeD., FreemanH.E. et al. (1980): The senic project - Study on the efficacy of noso comial infection control (Senic Project): summary of study design. - Am. J. Epidemiol., 111, 472–85.
HaleyR.W., HootonT.M., CulverD.H. et al. (1981): Nosocomial Infectiens in U.S. Hospitals, 1975–76. Estimated frequency by selected characteristics of patients. - Am. J. Med. 70: 947–59.
Hughes J.M., Culver D.H., White J.W. et al. (1983): Nosocomial Infection surveillance, 1980-82 - Morbidity and Mortality Wkl. Report Surveillance Summaries vol. 32, No 4ss, 1ss–16ss.
OrtonaL., PizzigalloE., LaghiV. et al. (1984): Controllo delle infezioni nosocomiali in un policlinico universitario. - L'Igiene Moderna: 74, 855–873.
SannaA., SpagnoloN., BrancaG. et al. (1980): Controllo delle infezioni nosocomiali in un policlinico universitario: aspetti microbiologici. - L'Igiene Moderna: 74, 843–854.
SannaA. (1982): Microbiological surveillance of nosocomial infections. - Acta Microbiologica Hellenica 27, 333–358.
SpagnoloN., BellofioreG., MobiliaG., ParentiU. (1980): Un sistema computerizzato per il controllo delle infezioni nosocomiali. - L'Igiene Moderna, 78: 87–100.
WeinsteinR.A., MallisonG.F. (1978): The role of the microbiology laboratory in surveillance and control of nosocomial infections. - Am. J. Clin. Pathology: 69, 130–136.
WenzelR.P., OstermanC.A., HuntingK.J. (1976): Hospital- acquired infections. II. Infection rates by site, service and common procedures in a university hospital. - Am. J. Epidemiol. 104: 645–651.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
Corresponding author.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Ortona, L., Federico, G., Fantoni, M. et al. A study on the incidence of nosocomial infections in a large University hospital. Eur J Epidemiol 1, 94–99 (1985). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00141799
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00141799