Nosocomial infections in the rehabilitation department.
OBJECTIVE
The patients of a Rehabilitation Department are at high risk of nosocomial infections because they generally have a long term hospitalisation and more and more frequently immune-compromised subjects, like old patients or with chronic illness, are admitted to rehabilitation programs. However, to evaluate the real infectious risk of a Rehabilitation Unit, it is important to consider also that a high number of patients are transferred from other hospitals after a specific therapy of the acute phase of their medical or surgical pathology and so many nosocomial microrganisms previously acquired may spread to a Rehabilitation Unit.


METHODS
From January to December 2003 we have performed a screening of the bacteruria among the patients at admittance to the Rehabilitation Unit of S. Orsola Fatebenefratelli Hospital of Brescia (Italy).


RESULTS
A significant bacteruria (>100000 cfu/mL) in 28.9% of 114 patients coming from home and in 41.9% of 179 patients transferred from other hospitals without antibacterial treatment has been documented.


CONCLUSIONS
These findings confirm the presence of an high number of patients colonized or infected by nosocomial bacteria previously acquired in hospital and underline the need, in addition to specific skill, of wide infectious knowledge among the medical staff of a Rehabilitation Unit. A specific approach to the infectious problem in the Rehabilitation Department in order to reduce the risk of nosocomial infections may be suggested.
Santus
G
G
Rehabilitation Unit, Saint Orsola Hospital, Brescia, Italy.
Brun
C
C
Viani
P
P
Pirali
F
F
Pirali
F
F
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001424:Bacterial Infections; D003428:Cross Infection / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005260:Female; D006757:Hospital Units; D006760:Hospitalization; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012046:Rehabilitation; D014546:Urinary Catheterization / Q000009:adverse effects; D014552:Urinary Tract Infections / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology*; D014556:Urine / Q000382:microbiology
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents