[Nosocomial infection by multiresistant pathogens during one year in a secondary hospital: clinical an epidemiological analysis].
BACKGROUND
Currently growing medical and social significance of nosocomial infection by multiresistant pathogens (NIMP) prompted us to establish its incidence, nosology, presenting forms in admission areas, and mortality in a secondary hospital, Lleida (Spain).


METHODS
For that purpose, we analyzed the first year experience of a unit for the control of nosocomial infection (NI) created in our hospital. From January to December 2000, 79 patients with a NIMP admitted to the University Hospital Arnau de Vilanova entered in this prospective, descriptive study.


RESULTS
The overall annual incidence of NIMP was 4.0 per 103 patients admitted. Acinetobacter baumannii showed the highest individual rate of incidence, particularly, at the Intensive Care Unit (15.4 per 103 patients admitted; p < 0.001). By nosologies, infection prevailed over colonization (69.6% vs 30.4%; p < 0.001). Mean hospital stay length increased in colonized patients (38.9 days). Finally, overall mortality was high (29.1%); again, A. baumannii was the agent most frequently detected in death cases (66.6%; p < 0.001).


CONCLUSIONS
Surveillance and control measures are required for the prevention of NIMP. Incidence studies how this, can be useful to create a database to establish the distribution and occurrence of NI, including the detection of multiresistant pathogen outbreaks.
Jover Sáenz
A
A
Servicio de Medicina Interna, Hospital Universitario Arnau de Vilanova, Lleida. alfredojover@hotmail.com
Barcenilla Gaite
F
F
Barbé Illa
E
E
García González
M
M
López Salcedo
R
R
Castellana Perellò
D
D
Garrido-Calvo
S
S
Porcel-Pérez
J M
JM
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003428:Cross Infection / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology*; D024901:Drug Resistance, Multiple, Bacterial; D005260:Female; D006761:Hospitals; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013997:Time Factors