Liječnički vjesnik, Vol. 133 No. 1-2, 2011.
Original scientific paper
DECREASE OF URINARY TRACT INFECTIONS FOLLOWING CATHETERIZATION AFTER THE EDUCATION OF HEALTH CARE WORKERS, INTRODUCTION OF PROTOCOLS AND SURVEILLANCE LISTS
Maja Tomić Paradžik
Božana Levojević
Antonija Gabrić
Abstract
Urinary tract infections (UTI) following catheterization are the most common hospital-acquired infections, with their frequency amounting to 30–40% of all hospital infections. Major percentage of this kind of infectious episodes can be prevented via active and continual education of health care workers (HCW), implementation of transparent protocols concerning installation and attendance of urinary catheters and regular control of catheterized patients through surveillance lists. This research shows the importance of afore-mentioned activities, demonstrating a significant decrease of UTI following catheterization at the Department of Urology in Slavonski Brod General Hospital during two periods. After the afore-mentioned procedures were conducted, a statistically significant discrepancy in the decrease of the UTI incidence following catheterization was identified, from 20.4% to 11.7%, i.e. c2=17.5; p<0.01, and accordingly, significant decrease of the number of hospital bed-days, i.e. c2=16.62; p<0.0, while total consumption of antibiotics at the Department was not reduced, despite the decrease in the number of UTI.The most common uropathogens, with no significant difference in both periods, were E. coli (29.7%), Enterococcus spp (20%), and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (15.8%). Strict implementation and close surveillance of the recommended preventive measures are an important factor in reducing the number of hospital infections.
Keywords
Catheter-related infections – microbiology, epidemiology, prevention and control; Urinary catheterization – adverse effects; Urinary tract infections – microbiology, epidemiology, prevention and control; Infection control – standards, methods; Health personnel – education; Evidence-based practice
Hrčak ID:
171536
URI
Publication date:
28.2.2011.
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