Point Prevalence Survey Of Healthcare-associated Infections Research Articles

Point prevalence surveys of healthcare-associated infections and use of indwelling devices and antimicrobials over three years in a tertiary care hospital in India

Few hospitals in India perform regular surveillance for healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) and use of indwelling devices and antimicrobials. The aim of this study was to conduct two one-day point prevalence surveys of HAIs and use of indwelling devices and antimicrobials in a large 1800-bed tertiary care hospital in India. The overall prevalence of HAIs was 7%, and surgical site infections were the most common (33%). Indwelling devices were present in 497 (27%) patients, and 915 (50%) patients were receiving antimicrobials. This study helped to generate robust baseline data on the prevalence of HAIs and use of indwelling devices and antimicrobials in the study hospital.

The value of intermittent point-prevalence surveys of healthcare-associated infections for evaluating infection control interventions at Angkor Hospital for Children, Siem Reap, Cambodia

BackgroundThere are limited data on the epidemiology of paediatric healthcare-associated infection (HCAI) and infection control in low-income countries. We describe the value of intermittent point-prevalence surveys for monitoring HCAI and evaluating infection control interventions in a Cambodian paediatric hospital.MethodsHospital-wide, point-prevalence surveys were performed monthly in 2011. Infection control interventions introduced during this period included a hand hygiene programme and a ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) care bundle.ResultsOverall HCAI prevalence was 13.8/100 patients at-risk, with a significant decline over time. The highest HCAI rates (50%) were observed in critical care; the majority of HCAIs were respiratory (61%). Klebsiella pneumoniae was most commonly isolated and antimicrobial resistance was widespread. Hand hygiene compliance doubled to 51.6%, and total VAP cases/1000 patient-ventilator days fell from 30 to 10.ConclusionRates of HCAI were substantial in our institution, and antimicrobial resistance a major concern. Point-prevalence surveys are effective for HCAI surveillance, and in monitoring trends in response to infection control interventions.

Results from the second Scottish national prevalence survey: the changing epidemiology of healthcare-associated infection in Scotland

Healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) are a recognized public health problem worldwide. Point prevalence surveys (PPSs) can be used to measure the burden of all HAI types. To measure the prevalence of HAI and determine any changes in the epidemiology of HAI since the first Scottish national PPS. A national rolling PPS in National Health Service (NHS) acute, NHS non-acute, NHS paediatric and independent hospitals was carried out during September and October 2011 using the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control protocol designed for the European PPS. The prevalence of HAI and distribution of HAI types were measured and the results compared with the first Scottish national HAI point prevalence survey of 2005/2006. The prevalence of HAI was 4.9%, 2.5%, 6.1% and 1.2% in acute, non-acute, paediatric and independent hospitals respectively. The prevalence of HAI was significantly higher in acute hospitals compared with non-acute hospitals. There were no significant differences between the prevalence in the other hospital types. The prevalence of HAI in acute and non-acute hospitals was lower than the first survey by approximately one-third. The proportion of HAIs that were urinary tract infection, surgical site infection and bloodstream infection was higher and the proportion that were gastrointestinal including Clostridium difficile infection was lower in acute hospitals compared with the previous survey. The epidemiology of HAI has changed in Scotland since the first national survey in 2005/2006, thus infection prevention and control measures require to be refocused in this regard. The lower prevalence and changing epidemiology of HAI in acute and non-acute care suggest that there may be a temporal relationship with the implementation of the national programme of targeted HAI interventions in the intervening period.

A Point-Prevalence Study on Healthcare-Associated Infections in Vietnam: Public Health Implications

During 2008, a point-prevalence survey of healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) was conducted in 36 Vietnamese hospitals. Of 7,571 inpatients, 590 (7.8%) had HAIs, including pneumonia (41.9%) and surgical-site infections (27.5%). Device use was a significant risk factor; gram-negative microorganisms predominated. A national reporting system needs to be established for monitoring HAIs and enhancing patient outcomes.