A prevalence survey of infections among hospitalized patients in Norway

The prevalence rates of infections among hospitalized patients in 15 Norwegian hospitals on 28 November 1979 is reported. A total of 7833 patients were included in the study, representing approximately 35 per cent of patients in somatic hospitals in Norway on that day. The prevalence rate of all infections was 17 per cent and for hospital infections 9 per cent. Hospital infections were most frequent in haematology and intensive care departments (23 and 22 per cent respectively) while the lowest rates were found in ophtalmology and psychiatry (2 per cent). Urinary tract infections played a major role both overall (33.5 per cent) and in hospital infections (41.9 per cent). In community acquired infections alone lower respiratory tract infections were slightly more common than urinary tract infections (26.6 per cent of infections versus 24.1 per cent). The study also comprises data on frequency of bacteriological examination in infected patients and on usage of indwelling urinary catheters in patients with urinary tract infections. The rates are compared to studies in other countries. We found the prevalence survey method to be an acceptable way of assessing infection rates among hospitalized patients in Norway. The greatest benefit of the survey is believed to be the ability to increase the awareness of infection problems in hospitals among health personnel.