Repeated point prevalence survey of nosocomial infections in a Greek university hospital.
Two point prevalence surveys of nosocomial infections (NIs) were carried out in a Greek University hospital on an annual basis in 1998 and 1999. The overall prevalence of NIs was 9.5% and 9.1% in the first and second study, respectively. The average length of stay of patients in the hospital (ALOS) was 7.7 and 9.6 days in these two studies, respectively. Of the 97 NIs detected, the most frequent were lower respiratory tract infections (36%). Urinary tract infections, bloodstream infections, surgical site infections, and gastrointestinal infections were found in 25.8%, 19.6%, 7.2% and 4.1% of patients, respectively. The prevalence of antibiotic usage was 55.6% in 1998 and 54.1% in 1999. Empiric antibiotic therapy prevailed over prophylactic and rational therapies. These percentages are higher than those reported from other countries, emphasizing the need for rational antibiotic usage to decrease pharmacy expenses and discourage the development of resistant microorganisms. A nationwide network of surveillance of NIs in Greece is now being developed using these experiences.
Starakis
I
I
Department of Internal Medicine, University Hospital, Rion, Patras, Greece. infect@med.upatras.gr
Marangos
M
M
Gikas
A
A
Pediaditis
I
I
Bassaris
H
H
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000368:Aged; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003428:Cross Infection / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology*; D017723:Drug Utilization Review; D005260:Female; D016905:Gram-Negative Bacterial Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology; D016908:Gram-Positive Bacterial Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology; D006115:Greece / Q000453:epidemiology; D006746:Hospital Bed Capacity, 500 and over; D006757:Hospital Units / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006785:Hospitals, University / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007902:Length of Stay; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D012141:Respiratory Tract Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents