[Incidence and risk factors for nosocomial infections in a neonatology unit].
OBJECTIVE
Neonatal nosocomial infection is a very important cause of morbidity and death in the hospital setting. The aim of our work is to study the incidence and risk factors associated with nosocomial infection in a neonatal unit.


METHODS
We followed 321 patients in a 6-month-long prospective, observational study. As units of measurement we used Incidence Density and Accumulative Incidence. For the statistical analysis we used chi-square and the logistic regression.


RESULTS
Nosocomial infection incidence density for the whole neonatal unit was 39.63% infections per 100 patients per month, while the accumulative incidence was 16.19%. Using a logistic regression method, the umbilical cord artery catheterization and days of stay variables both showed a statistically significant difference with nosocomial infection.


CONCLUSIONS
We conclude that minimizing length of stay, if possible below 10 days could be a key element to achieve a reduction in the neonatal unit's infection rate. However, new studies must be performed to ascertain if a strict enforcement of the rules pertaining to hand-washing and umbilical catheters manipulation would achieve further reductions in the infection rate associated with the umbilical cord catheterization.
Saleta
J L
JL
Servicio de Medicina Preventiva y Salud Publica, Complejo Hospitalario Juan Canalejo-Marítimo de Oza, La Coruña.
Rosales
M
M
Domínguez
V
V
Jiménez
T
T
Marinas
J
J
Bouzas
M E
ME
D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000635:transmission; D002408:Catheters, Indwelling / Q000009:adverse effects; D015897:Comorbidity; D003428:Cross Infection / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000635:transmission; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006920:Hygiene / Q000592:standards; D015994:Incidence; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007232:Infant, Newborn, Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology*; D007363:Intensive Care Units, Neonatal; D007902:Length of Stay; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D013030:Spain / Q000453:epidemiology; D014469:Umbilical Arteries
Incidencia y factores de riesgo de infección nosocomial en una unidad de neonatología.