Comparison of two nosocomial infection surveillance in a neonatal ward

Abstract

Background: Nosocomial infection is one of the major causes of death in neonates. In recent years, the results of nosocomial infection control committee, which carried out, based on a protocol of National Nosocomial Infection Surveillance (NNIS) is not consistent with neonatal review articles. This study was performed to determine the prevalence and incidence of nosocomial infection with an active, prospective method based on definitions and characteristics of Center for Disease Control and prevention (CDC) and comparing it with routine method of NNIS. Methods: This cross-sectional and prospective study was independent from Beasat Hospital nosocomial infection control committee and preformed by daily active visiting of neonatal ward (that is level-II) for six month period. The results of this study were compared with the results of the NNIS committee of nosocomial infection. Collected data were statistically analyzed by SPSS software. Results: From all hospitalized neonates, 369 cases (1292 patients / day) were enrolled in the study. The overall rate of nosocomial infection (frequency) was 2.71% and the overall incidence of nosocomial infection was 7.73 cases per 1,000 patients / day. The most common nosocomial infection in this study was skin and soft tissue infections; totally 50%. The incidence of Central Line-Associated Bloodstream Infection (CLA-BSI) was 14.2 per 1000 central catheter/day for the six months of study. Nosocomial infection rate preformed by Beasat Hospital nosocomial infection control committee (based on NNIS) was 0.1 % and incidence of nosocomial infection 0.3 per 1,000 patients/ day at the same 6 month study. Conclusion: It seems that a large part of this considerable differences between the results of this study compared to NNIS based study, is this fact that, for nosocomial infection surveillance in the neonatal field, the presence of a specialist as a performer and leader of the team, is necessary.

Keywords

• centers for disease control and prevention (U.S.)
• infection control
• neonates
• nosoco-mial infection