Nosocomial infections in the intensive care unit of a gynecology clinic

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Nosocomial infections are caused by microorganisms, and they develop 48 hours or more after admission to a hospital. It is considered that these infections are neither manifested nor present during the incubation period at the time of admission. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The objective of our study was to identify the most frequent microorganisms causing nosocomial infections in the Intensive Care Unit of the Institute of Gynecology and Obstetrics. The study included 33 patients, mean age 43.5 +/- 5 years, who were critical cases treated in Intensive Care Unit of the Institute of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Clinical Center of Serbia, in the period 2001 - 2003. All patients were surgically treated, intubated and assisted by mechanical ventilation. RESULTS: The most common causative agents isolated from the endotracheal tube were Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus coagulasa negative and Pseudomonas spp., whereas Escherichia colli and Enterococcus were isolated from the wounds. These are highly resistant strains to antimicrobial agents. DISCUSSION: Two big groups of microorganisms were isolated as causative organisms of nosocomial infections. The first group causes blood stream infections, such as Staphilococcus aureus and coagulasa negative, and the second group causes respiratory infections like Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella Enterobacter and Acinetobacter. The mortality and morbidity are very high, up to 40 - 80%. CONCLUSION: We can conclude that invasive diagnostic procedures are causing a high percentage of nosocomial infections. It is of utmost importance to prevent these infections by early use of antibiotics and infection control which depends on the hospital or clinic.