Nosocomial Infection and Mortality in a Neurology-Neurosurgery Intensive Care Unit

Abstract

Introduction: Increased mortality has been reported among intensive care unit (ICU) patients with nosocomial infection. Few previous studies have evaluated the relationship between nosocomial infection and mortality in neurology-neurosurgery ICU. The aim of this study was to evaluate effect of ICU-acquired infection and other factors on mortality in a neurology-neurosurgery ICU. Patients and Methods: The study was conducted in Ankara Training and Research Hospital, which is 600-bed tertiary level hospital. The patients treated for more than 48 hours in 14-bed neurology-neurosurgery ICU were enrolled to the study during the study period from 15 May 2006 to 1 November 2006. The patients were followed until death or 2 days after discharge by prospective daily surveillance. Risk factors were recorded and analysed for ICU-mortality. Results: Fifty-four ICU-acquired infections occurred in 44 (31%) of 142 patients during 1190 patient days. The overall rate of ICU-acquired infection was 38.3/100 patients and 45.4/1000 patient-days. Seventyseven of 142 patients included to the study has died (54.2%). In logistic regression analysis a low Glasgow coma scale score, being a neurology patient, infection on admission, ICU-acquired infection remained as independent risk factors for ICU-mortality. Conclusion: Investigation of the factors affecting mortality will guide for preventive measures for specific patient group like neurology and neurosurgery.

Keywords

• Intensive care units
• Mortality
• Risk factor
• Nosocomial infection
• Neurology
• Neurosurgery