A Study of Hospital Acquired Infections in ICU of a Tertiary Care Hospital in Bangalore

Abstract

Introduction: Infections acquired in health care settings during the course of treatment are among one of the major causes of death and increased morbidity among hospitalized patients. Hospital acquired infections have significant bearing on economic costs owing to the increased length of stay. Objectives: 1.To find out common organisms causing hospital acquired infection and their antibiotic susceptibility 2. To find the relation between invasive procedures and hospital acquired infections Methodology: Retrospective analysis of inpatients records of medical intensive care units using a predesigned and structured questionnaire. Hospital acquired infections were identified as per operational definition which was based on microbiological reports. Results: The rate of Hospital acquired infection was 1.2% among patients admitted to Medical ICU. It is observed that duration of hospital stay is considerably long among these patients. Organisms isolated from the specimens are Pseudomonas, Methicillin resistant staphylococcus, These organisms were sensitive to Amikacin in addition to other drugs such as Cephaperazone, Vancomycin, Linezolid, and Netilmycin. Logistic regression analysis (using statistical package for social sciences) revealed statistically significant association between Hospital Acquired Infections and Patients on Ventilators [Odds ratio =16.66 (P = 0.04]. Conclusion: The rate of Hospital acquired infections are more in intensive care units. Invasive procedures contribute to the development of Hospital acquired infection. Therefore strict infection control programmes and antibiotic policy should be formulated.