The risk factors of healthcare-associated bloodstream infections among older adults in intensive care units

Purpose: The advancement of medical technology has made people living longer than ever. In Taiwan, every one in ten is elderly currently. The most risk factor of bloodstream infections in the intensive care unit (ICU) is aging, which can increase the rate of mortality and the length of hospitalization. Methods: The objectives of this study were to identify the risk factors of bloodstream infections in the intensive care unit among elderly as well as the types of bacteria. This retrospective study with case control design were used to collect 264 patients who were above age of 65 and stayed in medical intensive care unit during the year 2006 to 2011. Results: The results showed that risk factors associated with bloodstream infections of the followings are: central venous catheter device (OR, 33.315; 95％CI, 1.203?922.610); other infections (OR, 9.440; 95％CI, 1.075?82.897); re-on central venous catheter device (OR, 6.278; 95％CI, 2.054?19.190); hemodialysis (OR, 6.010; 95％CI, 1.516?23.833); receiving a blood transfusion (OR,3.171; 95％CI, 1.161?8.659); length of ICU stay (OR, 1.325; 95％CI, 1.196?1.468). The most common isolates are Candida species (22.7%) ,Klebsiella pneumoniae (10.6%), Acinetobacter baumannii complex (9.9%) ,Staphylococcus aureus (9.9%). Conclusion: The findings indicate that using care bundles to reduce catheter related blood stream infections is urgent and essential for the implementation of catheterization, duration of catheter use, the quality of catheter care