Nosocomial infections. An experience in a high-specialty pediatric hospital.

Objective. To describe the results of an epidemiologic surveillance program , from 1990 to the first semester of 1997, in a new high-specialty pediatri c hospital and perform a comparison with previous reports. Material and met hods. The total number and type of nosocomial infections, the incidence rat e and density incidence for department and division, for different age grou ps and according to immune statues were registered. Results. The global inc idence of nosocomial infections during the period was 25.7 per 100 discharg es, with a progressive decrease during the last three years. Although immun ocompromised patients had more infections than immunocompetent ones, the di fference was not significative. The three most common infections were: pneu monia, vascular line infections and upper respiratory tract infections. it is possible that upper respiratory tract infections are contributing to the elevation of global incidence rates of nosocomial infections. Conclusions. The change of infection epidemiology regarding previous experience has led to the implementation of programs to prevent the most frequent problems. I t is necessary to intensify the different prevention programs and to increa se their reach in order to cut down costs in a short term.