Investigation and Analysis of Infection among Inpatients in a Tertiary Hospital in Shanghai

This study is aimed at obtaining information about the prevalence of nosocomial infections (NIs) and the use of antibiotics in hospitalized patients and providing relevant references for further understanding, preventing, and controlling NIs.

The medical records of adult patients admitted to a hospital in Shanghai from November to December 2021 were analyzed. The patients were divided into the NI group, community-acquired infection (CAI) group, and uninfected or healed group according to their infection status. The survey results were summarized and analyzed.

A total of 1485 patients were investigated, including 115 patients in the NI group, 172 patients in the CAI group, and 1198 patients in the uninfected or healed group. In the NI group, the main infection site was intra-abdominal tissue (49.6%), followed by lower respiratory tract (unrelated to application of catheters) (13%). There were 73 pathogens detected in the samples submitted from the NI group, mainly including 8 cases (11%) of Escherichia coli, 9 cases (12%) of Klebsiella pneumoniae, and 40 cases (55%) of negative microbiological test results. Thirteen of 115 patients with NIs had infections with drug-resistant bacteria, including 9 cases (69.2%) of CRE (carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae), 2 cases (15.38%) of VRE (vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus), 1 case (7.69%) of MRSA (methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus), and 1 case (7.69%) of CRAB (carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii). In terms of medication, single drug use accounted for the majority of the NI group (66.3%) and CAI group (60.6%); both groups had less frequent quadruple drugs. In the uninfected or healed group, single drug occupied 92.0%, and dual drug use accounted for 8.0%. Cefoperazone/sulbactam was the most commonly used antibacterial drug in the NI group (18.0%) and CAI group (17.6%), and piperacillin/tazobactam accounted for 14.0% and 17.6% in the two groups, respectively. In the uninfected or healed group, cefuroxime accounted for 59.8%, followed by cefoperazone/sulbactam (13.3%).

This study provides a scientific basis for effective control of NIs. Strict implementation of aseptic techniques, reduction of invasive operations, and rational use of anti-infective drugs can minimize the incidence of nosocomial infection to ultimately achieve effective prevention and control of NIs.