The Journal of hospital infection
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During a nine-year study period, 96 episodes of nosocomial bloodstream infection (BSI) due to Acinetobacter baumannii were identified in the adult intensive care units (ICUs) of Shin Kong Wu Ho-Su Memorial Hospital. Seventy-seven (80.2%) of these were available for matching in terms of age, sex, primary diagnosis of ICU admission, ICU ward, and disease severity. Univariate analysis showed that central venous catheter use, ventilator use, prior A. baumannii colonisation, and respiratory and cardiovascular organ failure were significantly associated with acquiring A. baumannii BSI in the ICU. ⋯ However, the mean length of ICU and hospital stay and mean hospital cost of patients with A. baumannii BSI significantly increased, with an estimated 8.7 days excess length of ICU stay, 19.1 days excess hospital stay, and US $8480 extra hospital costs. Imipenem and meropenem remained the most active antimicrobial agents, both with 95.5% susceptibility (MIC50=0.25 and 0.5, respectively). Improving hand hygiene of healthcare workers and aseptic care of vascular catheters and endotracheal tubes are important measures to prevent A. baumannii colonisation and decrease the incidence of BSI.
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The cost of catheter-related bloodstream infection (CRBSI) is substantial in terms of morbidity, mortality and financial resources. Total parenteral nutrition (TPN) is a recognised risk factor for CRBSI. In 1997, an intravenous nutrition nurse was promoted to TPN surveillance clinical nurse manager (CNM) and quarterly infection audit meetings were introduced to monitor trends in CRBSI. ⋯ The savings made by preventing 9.8 infections per year were calculated from data on bed-days obtained from the hospital finance office. The cost in hospital days saved per annum was euro135,000. Introduction of a TPN surveillance CNM saved the hospital at least euro78,300 per annum and led to a significant decrease in CRBSIs in TPN patients.
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Catheter-related bloodstream infections (CRBSIs) are among the most frequent healthcare-associated infections and cause considerable morbidity, mortality, and resource use. CRBSI surveillance serves quality improvement, but is often restricted to intensive care units (ICUs). We conducted a four-month prospective cohort study of all non-cuffed central venous catheters (CVCs) to design an efficient CRBSI surveillance and prevention programme. ⋯ CRBSI numbers were insufficient to perform a multivariate analysis. Our surveillance revealed similar CRBSI rates in both ICU and non-ICU departments, and when frequent ward transfers occurred. Hospital-wide CRBSI surveillance is advisable when a large proportion of CVC-days occur outside the ICU.
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Various reliable body heat-regulating systems have been designed and developed with the aim of maintaining an adequate body temperature in the course of major surgery. This is crucial to avoid the onset of potentially severe complications that are especially serious in elderly and debilitated subjects. Among these systems, the Bair Hugger blanket has demonstrated excellent efficacy. ⋯ Sampling was done both in the empty theatre and during surgical procedures, in different zones around the operating table and on the patient's body surface. Statistical analysis of the results demonstrated that the Bair Hugger system does not pose a real risk for nosocomial infections, whereas it does offer the advantage of preventing the potentially very severe consequences of hypothermia during major orthopaedic surgery. In addition, monitoring patients over the six months following the operation allowed us to exclude a later manifestation of a nosocomial infection.