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[Prevalence of nosocomial infections in Catalonia. II. Microorganisms and antimicrobial agents]
Abstract:
In the prevalence study of infections carried out in 33 hospitals from Catalonia in 1988, where 7,434 patients were included, information about the responsible microorganisms and the prescribed antimicrobials was collected (in addition to the data on community and hospital infections and risk factors) and is reported in the present article. The microbiological diagnosis was made in 43% of hospital infections and in 31.9% of community infections. Gram negative organisms predominated (57.3% of isolates in hospital and 46.5% in community infections). The most prevalent organisms in hospital infections were Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa; the most common Gram positive organisms were Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus faecalis. 31.7% of the studied patients received antimicrobials. The health care area with the highest prevalence was Intensive Care (46.6%), and General Surgery had the lowest one (26.8%). There were no significant prevalence differences between the three types of hospitals depending on their size. The most commonly used antimicrobial was gentamicin. The empirical indication rate was remarkably high (58.6%), the rate of antimicrobials with a specific indication was low (16%), and the rate of use of prophylactic antimicrobials was high (25.4%). There also was a remarkable disparity and extension of the types of drugs used.
Insights
This 1988 study of 7,434 patients in Catalonia found Gram-negative bacteria predominated in hospital and community infections. Antimicrobial use was high, often empirical, with gentamicin being the most common drug.
Area of Science:
- Infectious Diseases
- Clinical Microbiology
- Hospital Epidemiology
Background:
- Hospital-acquired and community-acquired infections pose significant public health challenges.
- Understanding the epidemiology of infectious agents and antimicrobial prescribing patterns is crucial for effective treatment and control.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the prevalence of infections and analyze antimicrobial prescribing practices in Catalan hospitals in 1988.
- To identify the most common etiological agents and assess the appropriateness of antimicrobial use.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional study involving 7,434 patients across 33 hospitals in Catalonia.
- Data collection on responsible microorganisms, prescribed antimicrobials, infection types, and risk factors.
Main Results:
- Microbiological diagnosis was achieved in 43% of hospital and 31.9% of community infections.
- Gram-negative organisms were predominant (57.3% hospital, 46.5% community), with Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa being most common in hospital settings.
- 31.7% of patients received antimicrobials, with Intensive Care units showing the highest prevalence (46.6%). Gentamicin was the most frequently used antimicrobial, and empirical use was high (58.6%).
Conclusions:
- Gram-negative bacteria were the primary cause of infections in this 1988 study cohort.
- Antimicrobial prescribing was characterized by high empirical use and a wide variety of drugs, indicating potential areas for guideline improvement.