Prevalence of hospital-acquired infections in Italy

A one-day prevalence survey was conducted in Calabria (Italy) to estimate t he prevalence of hospital-acquired infections (HAI) and the effect of diffe rent variables on HAI in 888 patients present in a ward for at least 24 hou rs and not due for discharge or transfer on the day of the survey The overa ll prevalence of HAI was 1.7% and urinary tract and surgical mounds were th e most frequent sites (each four patients, 26.7%). In only eight (53.3%) of the fifteen HAI detected, had a microbiological examination been requested and the only two positive culture results involved Pseudomonas aeruginosa (surgical site) and Escherichia coli (urinary tract). Results of multiple l ogistic regression analysis indicated that HAI differed significantly in pr evalence between age groups, ward, and was higher in patients with urinary catheters and in those receiving antibiotics. (C) 2000 The Hospital Infecti on Society.