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ICU infection, a common sight worldwide
by Kangna Agarwal - December 2, 2009 - comments
A significant finding of the study was that 32 percent of the patients who stayed in hospital for a day or less were likely to be infected. The proportion of others, who had spent more than a week in the ICU, was higher, nearing 70 percent
New York, December 2 -- In an unusual study, scientists have discovered that nearly half of the world’s patients in the intensive care units suffer from infection which raises their risk of dying from the contagion.
A snapshot survey conducted over a 24-hour period on May 8, 2007 involving 13,796 adults, 18 or older, in 1300 intensive care units across 75 countries has unveiled the alarming findings.
51 percent of ICU patients found infected
After analysing the survey details, it was found that nearly 51 percent of the patients had infections, and almost 71 percent of patients were given antibiotics either as a treatment or to prevent infection.
Researchers noted that among the 7087 ICU patients, the respiratory tract was the most common site of infections, accounting for 64 percent cases, followed by 20 percent of infections in the abdomen, 15 percent in the bloodstream, and 14 percent in the urinary tract.
Another significant finding was that 32 percent of the patients who stayed in hospital for a day or less were likely to be infected. The proportion of others who had spent more than a week in the ICU was higher, nearing 70 percent.
The infected patients also had a higher mortality rate with 25 percent compared to 11 percent for patients without an infection.
This study "demonstrates that infections remain a common problem in ICU patients," wrote Dr. Jean-Louis Vincent, of Erasme Hospital in Brussels, Belgium, and colleagues.
"These important data provide a picture of patterns of infection around the world, which can enhance understanding of global and regional differences and provide pointers to help optimize infection [prevention] and management," they mentioned.
Overall, higher rates of infection were recorded in those countries which do not spend a higher percentage of the gross domestic product on the health care services. Central and South America reported the highest infection cases accounting for 60 percent of the ICU cases, while the lowest cases were reported in Africa (46 percent).
The study’s findings appear in the December 2 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.
Controlling infection
Coming to hospital itself carries a risk of infection, say health experts. And the risk doubles if a person is admitted in an intensive care unit. It is said the longer one stays in the ICU, greater is the risk of infection.
ICU patients are frequently given injections and drips which lead to intravenous lines on their skin putting them at risk of contracting infection.
However, practicing certain prevention strategies, the risk can be minimised. Properly designed ICU wards and availability of sufficient number of nurses is one major criterion towards lowering the infection risk. Families of the patients should also remain vigilant and responsible at the same time.
For health care workers, it could mean washing hands more frequently together with taking care of the following things:
• Preparing the skin with a proper antiseptic agent.
• Putting a large drape on the patient.
• Covering yourself with a gown, gloves, cap and mask as if the procedure was an operation.
Dr. Chris Hayes of the Canadian Patient Safety Institute in Toronto suggested these measures, as reported in the CBC news.