[Predictive factors for hospital infections caused by Gram-positive and Gram-negative organisms]

Knowing the bacterian map and clinical profile of nosocomial infections (NI) in Spain may aid the better planning of empiric antimicrobian treatment.

A prospective incidence study carried out over 9 months was performed. Data collection out with the use of an EPINE project file. The chi square test and comparison of independent sample percentages were used for statistical analysis.

During the study period 156 cases of NI (rate (5.5%) were detected: 65 patients with gram-negative bacilli infection (GNB), 34 by gram-positive cocci (GPC), 20 with mixed infection and 13 by Candida. The most frequent localization was urinary infection (63%) followed by surgical wound infection, pressure ulcers and respiratory infection. Of the 203 isolations, 57% corresponded to GNB, with E. coli being the most frequent microorganism. Staphylococcus aureus was the GPC most often found (95% methycilline sensitive).

The profile of a patient with nosocomial infection in a hospital such as that in which the autors work would be as follows: if the patient were admitted in the department of internal medicine, was dementia or coma, denutrition, urinary catheter or neurologic disease and has NI (overall urinary infection) the infection would most likely be a caused by a gram-negative microorganism. If the patient has an i.v. line or is in a surgical ward, or has deep surgical wound infection the microorganism isolated would most likely be gram-positive.