[Nosocomial infections in Germany. Their epidemiology in old and new Federal Länder].
OBJECTIVE
To determine the prevalence rate of nosocomial infections in different parts of Germany.


METHODS
The study involved 14,966 patients (45.9% medical, 35.9% surgical, 14.7% obstetrical/gynaecological and 3.5% intensive care) in 72 randomly chosen German hospitals (59 in the old [i.e. previously West German] and 13 in the new [i.e. East German] Federal Lands). Using the CDC criteria for the diagnosis of nosocomial infections specially trained doctors determined whether the infection was in fact nosocomial.


RESULTS
There was a 3.5% prevalence rate of nosocomial infections in the entire population (95% confidence interval 3.1-3.9%). In view of the chosen methods and the in part incorrect indication of microbiological diagnosis in the included hospital, this rate of nosocomial infection is likely to be a minimum number. The prevalence rate for the most important nosocomial infections was lower in the new Lands of Federal Germany than the older ones (total prevalence of 2.7 vs 3.6%). The difference is mainly due to the less frequent employment of various devices (e.g. peripheral vascular catheters), rather than different hygienic standards in their use.


CONCLUSIONS
The lower prevalence rate of nosocomial infections in the new Lands, because fewer devices are employed, underlines the need constantly to test the indications for their use.
Rüden
H
H
Institut für Hygiene, Freie Universität Berlin.
Gastmeier
P
P
Daschner
F
F
Schumacher
M
M
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D016001:Confidence Intervals; D003428:Cross Infection / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D005858:Germany / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D011897:Random Allocation; D012107:Research Design
Nosokomiale Infektionen in Deutschland. Epidemiologie in den alten und neuen Bundesländern.