The Journal of hospital infection
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Device-associated infections (DAIs) have been the major causes of morbidity and mortality of patients in intensive care units (ICUs). This study evaluated the risk factors for DAIs in ICUs. Ninety-six medical or surgical ICUs of 56 hospitals participated in the Korean Nosocomial Infections Surveillance System between July 2007 and June 2008. ⋯ VAP rates were lower in ICUs of hospitals with more than 900 beds compared with hospitals with 400-699 beds (P=0.026). VAP rates were higher in surgical ICUs (P<0.0001) and increased 1.13-fold with each 100-unit increase in beds per infection control professional (P=0.003). The organisational and institutional characteristics of ICUs may influence DAI rates and there is a need for improvement in the incidence of VAP, CAUTI or CABSI.
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Preventing ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) is one of the Department of Health 'Saving Lives' initiatives. Whereas morbidity and mortality from VAP is well-documented in adults, it is poorly studied in children. We describe the establishment of a nurse-led VAP surveillance programme as part of an overall drive for patient safety and healthcare-associated infection reduction. ⋯ We report successful introduction of a nurse-led VAP surveillance programme. Data acquisition in this study was dependent on nursing workload, however, and placed a significant time burden on the study leads. Although a relatively low VAP rate was demonstrated, VAP bundles with automated surveillance are being introduced.