Mediterranean Journal of Infection, Microbes and Antimicrobials (Dec 2022)
The Impact of COVID-19 on Central Line Bloodstream Infections Standardized Infection Ratio in Intensive Care Units: A 3-year Surveillance Data
Abstract
Introduction: Healthcare-associated infections (HCAIs) have increased during the COVID-19 pandemic due to inadequate adherence to infection control measures. Central-line-associated bloodstream infections (CLBSI) are one of the infections with an increased incidence. In this study, CLBSI-SIRs in 3 periods were compared, and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on CLBSI observed in intensive care units (ICUs) was evaluated. The hand hygiene compliance rates were also examined for the same period. Materials and Methods: Comparisons of 2019, 2020, and 2021 were made by calculating the 3-year SIR, standardized utilization ratio (SUR), and SIR change rates between years in 12 adult ICUs. Calculations were made using the SIR and SUR calculation tool prepared by the General Directorate of Public Health of Turkey. The formula [(SIR/SUR of year Y – SIR/SUR of year X) / SIR/SUR x 100 of year X] was used when calculating the SIR/SUR change rates between periods. Results: In 2019 and 2020, SIR was detected as >1 only in the burn ICU. Anesthesia and Reanimation-1,2 and Internal Medicine-3 were the ICUs with the highest SIR increase rate in 2020. In 2021, it was determined as SIR1 in all periods. When the mean SIR of ICUs between 2019, 2020, and 2021 was compared, the rate was significantly higher in 2020 (p < 0.05). There was a significant increase in hand hygiene compliance in 2021 compared to previous years (p < 0.05). Conclusion: With the COVID-19 pandemic, an increase in CLBSI-SIR was observed in 2020. In 2021, a decrease in CLBSI-SIR and an increase in hand hygiene compliance were achieved by gaining experience in the follow-up and treatment of patients diagnosed with COVID-19, implementing infection control programs, and conducting on-site training and inspections.
Keywords
