title: Health-care associated infections in Thailand 2011.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To study the recent trend of health-care associated infections (HAIs) across Thailand.
  
  
  METHODS
  Using the modified international HAI definitions, the investigators conducted a prospective, nationwide, multi-centered survey to determine a 1-day point-prevalence of HAIs among hospitalized patients in the 47 acute care, primary to tertiary hospitals in January 2011.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of total 10,762 patients (female 50.6%, mean age 44.2 +/- 27.3 years) enrolled in the study, 780 had HAIs or the average prevalence of HAIs was 7.3% (range 2.8-8.5%). Highest rates of HAIs were found in other hospitals (other type of tertiary-care facilities), intensive care units and lower respiratory tracts when stratified by type of hospital, unit of service and site of HAIs, respectively. Gram negative bacteria remained predominant among etiologic agents causing HAIs, as in prior studies. Acinetobacter spp., however emerged as the most common organism. At the time of study, 49.3% of all patients received one or more antimicrobial agents. Among the patients with HAIs, cephalosporins were the most commonly used.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Recently, no significant change on nationwide prevalence and trend of HAIs in Thailand were demonstrated. Notably, Acinetobacter spp. emerged as the most common etiologic agents of HAIs.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand. yong.ron@mahidol.ac.th
authors.forename: Yong
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Rongrungruang
authors.forename: Narumol
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Sawanpanyalert
authors.forename: Patcharin
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Chomdacha
authors.forename: Kunlayanee
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Surasarang
authors.forename: Natcha
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Wiruchkul
authors.forename: Kanchana
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kachintorn
authors.forename: Peangpim
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Tantilipikara
authors.forename: Somwang
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Danchaivijitr
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003428:Cross Infection / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013785:Thailand / Q000453:epidemiology