Abstract
BackgroundA prevalence survey of healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) was previously performed in the Piemonte region in 2000. In the decade following the survey, many studies were performed at both the regional and hospital levels, and training courses were developed to address issues highlighted by the survey. In 2010, a second regional prevalence study was performed. The aim of this paper is to present the results of the second prevalence study and discuss them within the context of the HAI prevention and control programmes that have been implemented in the decade since the original survey was conducted.MethodsThe study involved all public hospitals in the Piemonte region. Uni- and multivariate analyses were performed to assess the main risk factors associated with HAIs, including both overall and site-specific infections.ResultsA total of 7841 patients were enrolled: 6.8% were affected by at least one HAI. The highest prevalence of HAIs was found in intensive care units (18.0%, 95% CI 14.0-22.6), while UTIs presented the highest relative frequency (26.7%), followed by respiratory tract infections (21.9%). The age of the patient, hospital size and urinary and central venous catheter status were significantly associated with HAIs.ConclusionsThe study results showed an increase in HAI prevalence, despite prevention and control efforts, as well as training implemented after the first regional survey. Nevertheless, these data are consistent with the current literature. Furthermore, despite its limits, the prevalence approach remains an important means for involving healthcare workers, emphasising HAIs and revealing critical problems that need be addressed.
Highlights
A prevalence survey of healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) was previously performed in the Piemonte region in 2000
We evaluated the association between HAIs and each risk factor by calculating the odds ratio (OR) and 95% CI
The results showed an increase in HAI prevalence (6.8% vs 4.6%), despite efforts made in prevention, control and training within the last decade
Summary
A prevalence survey of healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) was previously performed in the Piemonte region in 2000. In the decade following the survey, many studies were performed at both the regional and hospital levels, and training courses were developed to address issues highlighted by the survey. The aim of this paper is to present the results of the second prevalence study and discuss them within the context of the HAI prevention and control programmes that have been implemented in the decade since the original survey was conducted. Between 2000 and 2010, many efforts were made to support activities aimed at prevention and control of HAIs, and many surveillance studies were performed at both the regional and hospital levels. Based on the results of the surveillance studies as well as the prevalence study, training courses have been offered to the region’s healthcare workers (both medical and nursing) to help eliminate behaviours that are not in line with the existing national and international recommendations (i.e., antibiotic prescription and control measures to be adopted in operating rooms and in clinical care) [1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9].
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