title: Prevalence of nosocomial infections in Italy: result from the Lombardy survey in 2000.
abstract: A one-day survey was carried out in 88 out of 113 public hospitals in Lombardy to obtain prevalence rates of hospital-acquired infections (HAIs) by hospital departments and to identify the pathogens more frequently involved. In total 18667 patients were surveyed, representing 72% of the average daily total of occupied beds in public hospitals in Lombardy. The overall prevalence of HAI was 4.9%. The highest prevalence was observed in intensive care units and in spinal units. The prevalence of bloodstream infections was 0.6%; pneumonia 1.1%; urinary tract infections 1.6% and gastrointestinal infections 0.4%. In surgical patients the prevalence of surgical site infections was 2.7%. The most frequently isolated pathogen from all sites of infections was Escherichia coli (16.8%), followed by Staphylococcus aureus (15.0%), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (13.2%) and Candida spp. (8.7%). Methicillin-resistant S. aureus accounted for 23% of all isolated S. aureus. The results provide baseline data for rational priorities in allocation of resources, for further studies and for infection control activities.
authors.affiliation: Unitá Organizzativa Prevenzione Regione Lombardia, Via Pola 9, Milano, 20124, Italy. alessandro_lizioli@regione.lombardia.it
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Lizioli
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Privitera
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Alliata
authors.forename: E M
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Antonietta Banfi
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Boselli
authors.forename: M L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Panceri
authors.forename: M C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Perna
authors.forename: A D
authors.initials: AD
authors.lastname: Porretta
authors.forename: M G
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Santini
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Carreri
mesh_terms: D002177:Candidiasis / Q000453:epidemiology; D003428:Cross Infection / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D004927:Escherichia coli Infections / Q000453:epidemiology; D005767:Gastrointestinal Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology; D006292:Health Priorities; D006306:Health Surveys; D006779:Hospitals, Public; D006801:Humans; D017053:Infection Control; D007558:Italy / Q000453:epidemiology; D016106:Methicillin Resistance; D008875:Middle Aged; D020380:Needs Assessment; D011014:Pneumonia / Q000453:epidemiology; D011159:Population Surveillance; D015995:Prevalence; D011552:Pseudomonas Infections / Q000453:epidemiology; D012307:Risk Factors; D018805:Sepsis / Q000453:epidemiology; D013203:Staphylococcal Infections / Q000453:epidemiology; D013530:Surgical Wound Infection / Q000453:epidemiology; D014552:Urinary Tract Infections / Q000453:epidemiology