Nosocomial infections in a neurosurgery department

A three month prospective survey of nosocomial infections in a Neurosurgery Department was carried out. Results showed that the overall nosocomial infection rate was 6.7 per 100 patient discharges with the rate of infected patients being 4.6 per 100 discharges. Patients in intensive care had two times the risk of acquiring a nosocomial infection then patients in non-intensive care. Both respiratory tract and urinary tract infections accounted for the majority (89.1%) of the nosocomial infections. 69.7% of lower respiratory tract infections were associated with the use of endotracheal tube and/or ventilatory assistance. Similarly, 87.5% of urinary tract infections were associated with the use of indwelling catheters. It is hoped that preventive measures introduced or reemphasized just before and after the study will serve to further lower the nosocomial infection rate in the Neurosurgery Department.