title: Nosocomial lower respiratory tract infections in surgical wards.
abstract: A six month prospective study of nosocomial lower respiratory tract infection was conducted in four general surgery wards and one urological surgery ward. Thirty eight cases were identified, representing 1% of the surgical admissions to these wards. Twenty eight of the infections followed abdominal surgery. Six patients died, five of whom had pre-existing cardiorespiratory disease. Potential pathogens were isolated in 21 patients, the commonest organisms being Streptococcus pneumoniae and Haemophilus influenzae.
authors.affiliation: City Hospital, Nottingham.
authors.forename: W J
authors.initials: WJ
authors.lastname: Kinnear
authors.forename: R G
authors.initials: RG
authors.lastname: Finch
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Pilkington
authors.forename: J T
authors.initials: JT
authors.lastname: Macfarlane
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003428:Cross Infection / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology; D004739:England; D005260:Female; D006193:Haemophilus influenzae; D006268:Health Facilities; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010362:Patients' Rooms; D011184:Postoperative Period; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012141:Respiratory Tract Infections / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology; D013296:Streptococcus pneumoniae; D013514:Surgical Procedures, Operative