Healthcare-associated infections: Siena 2015

Background Healthcare-associated infections (HAI) and antimicrobial resistance of ‘‘bugs’’ represent important public health problems. HAI are associated with increases in mortality, morbidity, length of hospital stay and costs. The aims of this study were to determine the prevalence and to estimate which factors are important in determining an HAI in an Italian teaching hospital. Methods We conducted a cross sectional study, following the protocol of the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC). Medical records (MR) collection was carried out in all the wards, in the period 2nd-13th February 2015. Case definitions, inclusion/exclusion criteria and data collections were defined by the protocol. A descriptive analysis, followed by univariate and multivariate analysis (logistic regression) were carried out. In addition, comparisons with international literature were made. Results 468 MR were collected. 32 HAI were identified. The most common type of HAI was urinary tract infections 12/32 (37.5%) followed by respiratory 9/32 (28.1%) and blood 4/32 (12.5%) ones. The most common microorganisms were E.Coli (39.1%), followed by Pseudomonas Aeruginosa (17.4%), and by Staph. Aureus, Candida Albicans and Proteus Mirabilis (each 8.7%). In the univariate analysis 11 variables resulted significantly correlated with HAI. After the multivariate logistic regression the final model comprehended 3 variables: length of stay (OR = 1.02, p = 0.002), Mc Cabe score (OR = 2.48, p = 0.04) and the presence of urinary catheter (OR = 4.93, p < 0.001). Conclusions Our results are in line with European ones by frequencies and species; although urinary tract infections emerged to be more frequent, E.Coli was more common and Staphilococcus less common than in European statistics. Length of stay, Mc Cabe Score and the presence of urinary catheter seem to be the most important variables involved in the development of an HAI. Key messages: -The prevalence of HAI recorded does not seem greater than European data except for an higher value of urinary tractinfections - We found that length of stay, Mc Cabe score and the presence of urinary catheter seem to be relevant in the development of an HAI