An epidemiological study of nosocomial infections in surgical departments in Assiut University hospitals

Abstract EN

Nosocomial infection is a localized or systemic condition that results from adverse reactions to the presence of an infectious agentfs) or its toxin(s) that was not present or incubating at the time of admission to the hospital (CDC, 2003).

Nosocomial infection usually appears three days after a patient is admitted to a hospital or other health-care facility.

One third of all nosocomial infections are preventable.

The objectives of the study are to: determine the incidence of nosocomial infection among the studied patients and the risk factors of nosocomial infection among them.

Methodology: The study was a hospital-based prospective study conductedfor one year in Neurosurgery Department and unit CI from General Surgery Department at Assiut University Hospitals.

The total number of patients was enrolled in the study 1377 patients.

Data collection through personal interviews with all patients admitted in the selected departments immediately after admission.

Daily follow up of these patients to detect the development of nosocomial infection.

Results: The incidence rate of nosocomial infection was 15%.

Nosocomial infection was higher among rural than urban residents with significant difference.

According to the wards, unit CI, Neurosurgery Department and Neurosurgery ICU, it was 48.4%, 29.4%, 22.2% respectively.

94.7% of patients undergo operations, 99.5% of patients exposed to invasive devices and 61.0% of patients with contaminated wounds acquired infection The incidence of nosocomial infection increased significantly with those exposed to general anesthesia, trauma, multiple procedures, implants and complicated surgery.

As regard the type of organisms, Klebsiella was the most common organism followed by E.coli and Enterococci then prqteus (28.0%, 16.0% and 14.0%) respectively