Factors influencing colonisation with gentamicin resistant gram negative organisms in the neonatal unit

The proportion of babies colonised with gentamicin resistant Gram negative organisms in a nursery over a 30 month period did not correlate with the quantity or duration of aminoglycosides used, but it did correlate with two indicators of workload: the number of baby days and a score based on the level of nursing care required. Spread of resistant organisms may be more likely as workload increases.