A six-year prospective surveillance study for nosocomial infections in neurology unit

Abstract number: r2126

Geyik  M.F., Hosoglu  S., Aluclu  U., Ayaz  C., Celen  M.K.

Objectives: 

The aim of this study was to assess the epidemiology of nosocomial infection (NI) s in neurology unit in a university hospital.

Methods: 

The study was carried out at the Dicle University Hospital, Diyarbakir, Turkey (1050-bed). This study was performed prospectively, from 1st January 1999 to 31st December 2004. Active surveillance for NIs were performed by infection control team, using the criteria proposed by the Centers for Diseases Control and prevention (CDC) and National Nasocomial Infections Suveillance (NNIS) methodology.

Results: 

During six-year follow up period, 219 nosocomial infection episodes were detected in 203 patients out of 3323 inpatients. The overall incidence rates (NI/100) and incidence densities (NI/1000 days at risk) of nosocomial infections were 6.6% and 4.4/1000 patients-days, respectively. The most common nosocomial infections by primary site were urinary tract infection (Table). The most prevalent microorganisms were Escherichia coli (27%), Klebsiella spp. (14%), Pseudomanasaeruginosa (13%), Enterobacter spp (12%), coagulase-negative staphylococci (10%) and Staphylococcus aureus (7%).

Conclusion: 

The results may contribute to observe the magnitude and characteristics of NIs and to plan and evaluate policies and guidelines of infection control in neurology units.