Healthcare-associated Infections in Pediatric Cardiovascular Surgery Intensive Care Unit Between 2016-2020

Abstract

Introduction: Healthcare-associated infections are the most common problem in intensive care unit world- wide. Children with congenital heart diseases have many complications such as developmental problems, respiratory tract infections, endocarditis, pneumonia and after long-term hospital and intensive care stays and surgeries patients become vulnerable to healthcare-associated infections. Patients and Methods: The study presents the frequency of infection, microorganisms in patients hospital- ized at Kartal Koşuyolu High Specialization Training and Research Hospital Pediatric Cardiovascular Surgery Intensive Care Unit between 2016-2020. Results: One hundred-eight healthcare-associated infections episodes were seen in 83 of 1920 patients hos- pitalized in Pediatric Cardiovascular Surgery Intensive Care Unit between 2016-2020. Healthcare-associated infections rates varied between 4.8% and 7.77% over the years. In the 5-year period, a total of 118 micro- organisms were detected. Among all microorganisms, Candida species (n= 43, 36.4%) ranked first. Central line-associated bloodstream infections 53 (49%), ventilator-associated pneumonia 40 (37%), surgical site in- fection 8 (6.5%), catheter-associated urinary tract infection 7 (6%). Conclusion: Healthcare-associated infections requires special attention in pediatric cardiovascular intensive care units. In order to prevent, innovations such as bundle applications should be implemented as well as personnel training.