BACTERIAL SURVEILLANCE CULTURES IN A GERIATRIC WARD

A study was carried out to examine the prevalence of oropharyngeal and urinary tract colonization and to compare the colonizing bacteria wit h the strains causing nosocomial infections during patients' stays in a geriatric ward. Colonization with Gram-negative rods was not uncommo n. Nosocomial infections frequently occurred, although colonization se ldom resulted in infection. Ampicillin and co-trimoxazole resistance w as common in Gram-negative rods. There was little resistance to tobram ycin, temocillin and quinolones in strains isolated in patients admitt ed from home or a nursing home. Isolates resistant to these antibiotic s were found in patients admitted from other departments of the hospit al, especially from the intensive care unit or during prolonged stay i n the ward. Routine cultures for colonization were not predictive for subsequent infection. However, continuous monitoring of Gram-negative rods in colonization and infection remains an important instrument for a preventive policy and to guide antibiotic treatment.