Clinical spectrum and risk factors for hospital-acquired septicemia in a tertiary care centre of North-East India

Abstract

Introduction: Although several studies have shown an increasing prevalence of sepsis due to multidrug-resistant organisms, specific data on hospital-acquired septicemia is lacking. Materials and Methods: An observational prospective study was carried out for a duration of 1 year in which patients developing hospital-acquired septicemia were included and their disease spectrum and associated risk factors were analyzed. Results: Among a total of 350 patients, 145 came out to be culture positive. Genitourinary infections were the most common infections encountered in this study, whereas the presence of invasive device came out to be the most prevalent risk factor. Conclusion: Septicemia is still a rising problem; hence, we should manage it carefully. Coagulase-negative Staphylococci can no longer be considered as contaminants and it should be treated as pathogens.

Keywords

• hospital-acquired septicemia
• risk factors
• sepsis