Abstract
Background: Healthcare-associated infections (HCAIs) are a well-known public health threat; however, published data on the endemic burden of HCAIs in sub-Saharan Africa are limited. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of primary bloodstream infection (PBSI), surgical site infection (SSI), lower respiratory tract infection (LRTI) and urinary tract infection (UTI) at Kimberley Hospital Complex (KHC), Northern Cape.Methods: A one-day pointprevalence survey was conducted between February 2016 and March 2016 on all patients admitted to 15 selected wards at KHC. The Standardised Centers for Disease Control and National Nosocomial Infection Surveillance Systems criteria were used.Results: A total of 326 patients were surveyed and the overall HCAI prevalence rate was 7.67%. This included 4.60% SSIs, 1.53% UTIs, 0.92% PBSIs and 0.92% LRTIs. Patients with HCAI stayed a mean of 20.8 days compared with 9.1 days for the remaining patients. Almost 75% (n = 240) of the surveyed patients had one or more recognised risk factors. The most isolated microorganism among the 11 microorganisms isolated was Klebsiella pneumoniae (36.4%). Half (54.5%) of the isolated organisms were resistant to penicillin. At the time of the survey, 42.0% of all the patients were on antimicrobials of which amoxicillin/clavulanic acid was most commonly prescribed (29.9%). Conclusion: The overall HCAI prevalence rate found in KHC is encouraging, but the prevalence of SSI is of concern. Further studies are needed to identify risk factors and target this as an area where preventative interventions can be implemented.
Highlights
Healthcare-associated infections (HCAIs) originate in patients while admitted to hospital, denoting a new disorder that was not present/incubating at the time of admission or the residual of an infection acquired during a previous admission.[1]
Legal costs cannot be ignored in the present environment of litigation, especially when nosocomial infections are often attributed to negligence or substandard health care.[4]
This is a point prevalence survey conducted at the Kimberley Hospital Complex (KHC) in the Northern Cape
Summary
Healthcare-associated infections (HCAIs) originate in patients while admitted to hospital, denoting a new disorder that was not present/incubating at the time of admission or the residual of an infection acquired during a previous admission.[1]. Patients who develop nosocomial infections increase healthcare costs by longer length of stay and, as a result, the need for more diagnostic tests and treatment.[3] A World Health Organization (WHO) study showed that the overall increase in the length of stay for patients with surgical wound infections was 8.2 days, ranging from 3 days for gynaecology to 9.9 days for general surgery and 19.8 days for orthopaedic surgery.[3] There are indirect costs to the patient secondary to possible loss of income and inability to provide for the needs of the family. Results: A total of 326 patients were surveyed and the overall HCAI prevalence rate was 7.67%. This included 4.60% SSIs, 1.53% UTIs, 0.92% PBSIs and 0.92% LRTIs. Patients with HCAI stayed a mean of 20.8 days compared with 9.1 days for the remaining patients. Further studies are needed to identify risk factors and target this as an area where preventative interventions can be implemented
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