Abstract

The aim of this work was to analyze the epidemiology and colonization of resistant strains causing infections among patients treated in the Rehabilitation Department. The data gathered using a continuous passive surveillance system in the year 2007 and the results of the point prevalence study were used in the analysis.The survey was conducted in the year 2007 at a highly specialist Orthopedic Department with 749 patients were hospitalized. The local Infection Control Team detected cases of infections in their everyday work. The point prevalence study was performed by the hospital Infection Control Team in cooperation with the experts from the Chair of Microbiology (Jagiellonian University Medical College).The incidence rate for hospital infections in the year 2007 reached 1.2%. The predominant etiological factors included: Gram-negative bacilli: Enterobacter, Pseudomonas and Escherichia. The point prevalence rate was 28%. Urinary tract infections (UTI) were most common in 12 diagnosed cases. Among 4 cases of lower respiratory tract infections there was one case of severe pneumonia with mycotic etiology detected.The observed incidence rates were lower than those obtained from other studies reported in medical literature. However, the values of point prevalence confirmed the necessity of continuous surveillance in the units subjected to analysis involving surveillance and epidemiological monitoring, microbiological control and adopting a proper antibiotic treatment policy.

Key words:

rehabilitation unit, nosocomial infections, Surveillance