Prediction of nosocomial infections in cardiac patients: a pilot study

The purpose of this descriptive pilot study was to discover and correct problems with data collection in the identification of variables that are the strongest predictors of the occurrence of four nosocomial infections in cardiac patients. Data from 29 subjects who were admitted to a critical care unit (CCU) were tracked at a health care facility located in upstate New York. Data were obtained from daily care flow sheets and patients' charts. Although most results were not statistically significant, trends were identified in the data. The 7 patients who developed nosocomial infections were men who were older than 50 years, underwent a cardiac surgical or other invasive procedure, had more than one intravenous catheter, experienced a significant event in the CCU, and received prophylactic antibiotics. It is recommended that the number of independent variables tracked be reduced to 20. In addition, readmission of subjects whose data are being tracked should be included.