Surveillance of Device-associated Nosocomial Infections in an Intensive Care Unit at a 550-Bed Research Hospital during 2009

Aim: Nosocomial infections that cause high mortality rates are most frequently observed in intensive care units (ICUs). In this study, device-associated nosocomial infections in Anesthesia and Reanimation Unit of our hospital during 2009 are studied. Methods: ICU serves as a third-level treatment unit with 22 beds out of the total 550 beds in the training hospital. Nosocomial Infections are monitored by infectious disease and clinical microbiology specialists and infection control nurses using laboratory- and patient-based active surveillance method and diagnosed according to the Centers for Diseases Control and Prevention criteria. Results: 109 nosocomial infection attacks were detected in ICU. Among them, 28 were catheter-associated urinary tract infection, 26 were ventilator-associated pneumonia, and the rest 55 were circulatory system infection. Central line-associated bloodstream infection rate was 0.45%, urinary catheter-associated urinary tract infection rate - 3.82%, and ventilator-associated pneumonia infection rate was 4.33%. Conclusion: Since bacteria causing infection in ICU are more resistant, the condition of the patients is more severe. Surveillance is of great importance for nosocomial infection control and monitoring. (The Medical Bulletin of Haseki 2011; 49: 30-3