Prevalence of nosocomial infections after surgery in Greek hospitals: results of two nationwide surveys.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the frequency and type of nosocomial infections (NIs) (especially surgical-site infections [SSIs]), risk factors, and the type and duration of antibiotic use among surgical patients in Greek hospitals.


METHODS
Two point-prevalence studies.


METHODS
Fourteen Greek hospitals.


METHODS
Those in the hospitals during two prevalence surveys undergoing surgery during their stay.


RESULTS
In the 1999 survey, 129 of 1,037 surgical patients had developed 148 NIs (14.3%). A total of 1,093 operations were registered, and 49 SSIs (4.5%) were found. In the 2000 survey, 82 of 868 surgical patients had developed 88 NIs (10.1%). A total of 902 operations were registered, and 38 SSIs were detected (4.2%). The median length of stay (LOS) for surgical patients without SSI was 10.0 days (range, 1-19 days); for patients who developed SSI it was 30 days (range, 1-52 days; P < .001). The median LOS prior to surgery for patients without SSI was 1 day (range, 0-4 days); for patients who developed SSI it was 3 days (range, 0-7.5 days; P < .001). Among 30 possible risk factors studied, wound class, LOS prior to surgery, and central venous catheterization were independent predictors of SSI. Median durations of prophylactic antibiotic therapy were 4 days (range, 1-14 days) and 6 days (range, 1-16 days) in the 1999 and 2000 surveys, respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
Surgical patients in Greek hospitals suffered higher rates of SSI than did surgical patients in other developed countries while prophylactic antibiotics were used excessively.
Gikas
Achilleas
A
University Hospital of Heraklion 1352/71110 Crete, Greece.
Roumbelaki
Maria
M
Pediaditis
John
J
Nikolaidis
Pavlos
P
Levidiotou
Stamatina
S
Kartali
Sofia
S
Kioumis
John
J
Maltezos
Efstratios
E
Metalidis
Symeon
S
Anevlavis
Eleftherios
E
Haliotis
George
G
Kolibiris
Hariton
H
Tselentis
Yiannis
Y
D019072:Antibiotic Prophylaxis; D003428:Cross Infection / Q000453:epidemiology*; D003625:Data Collection; D005260:Female; D006115:Greece / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D007902:Length of Stay; D008297:Male; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D013530:Surgical Wound Infection / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control