Health care-associated infections in Iran: A national update for the year 2015

A national surveillance system for health care-associated infections (HAIs) in Iran is relatively new, and an update on incidence and mortality rates can aid clinicians and stakeholders in development of new guidelines and imperative modifications to be made.

Data were extracted from the national HAIs surveillance software for more than 7 million hospitalizations during 2015. Data regarding age, gender, deaths, ward of admission, and microbiologic findings were collected and analyzed.

From 491 hospitals, 7,018,393 hospitalizations were reported during 2015; 82,950 patients had been diagnosed with at least 1 HAI, 6,355 of whom died (crude fatality rate, 7.7). Men comprised 51.4% of the patients. The incidence rate was calculated to be 1.18. Urinary tract infections and pneumonia were the most commonly reported infections (27.9% and 23.8%) and 33% of patients were older than age 65 years. Intensive care units had the highest incidence rates, followed by burn units with incidence rates close to 9. Highest percentages of deaths were reported among patients with an HAI in the intensive care unit (20.6%) and those with pneumonia (39.6%).

Although the underreporting of HAIs hinders accurate calculation of incidence, the present study provides a general update. The results can help in modification of national guidelines and appropriate choice of antimicrobial agents in the management of HAIs.