Abstract:
The determination of the prevalence of nosocomial infections,
associated risk factors, and the antimicrobial susceptibility pattern
of bacterial isolates among patients admitted to the intensive care
uni t was carried out.
Critically ill patients admitted to the intensive care unit, medical
staff and equipment were evaluated, samples were taken for gram
staining, culture and the determination of antimicrobial
susceptibility pattern of bacterial isolates.
Of the two hundred and sixty two patients admitted during the
study period, 200 were recruited into the study; they comprised of
179 (68.3%) males and 83 (3l. 7%) females. Head injured patients
accounted for 15.5% of the total admissions, followed by tetanus
(12.0%), post craniotomy, cerebral tumors, dental conditions,
septicemia, ruptured viscera and burn patients made up the rest of
the admitted patients.
lCU equipment were found to harbor
pathogenic organisms, medical staff working in the lCU were also
found to harbor pathogenic which could infect patients in the lCU
(p=0.007).
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VIII
Pneumonia afflicted 62.5% of patients and the leading pathogen
was Klebsiella spp (38.4%), ventilator associated pneumonia was
seen in 57.6% of patients. Urinary tract infection was diagnosed in
90% of patients, and the leading pathogen isolated was Klebsiella
, ,
spp (36.7%). Pseudomonas aeruginosa was isolated in 15.0% and
36.4% patients with bacteremia and surgical wound infections,
respectively.
determined.
Their antimicrobial susceptibility pattern were
Means for prevention and control of nosocomial
infections are suggested.
Nosocomial infections are significantly prevalent m patients
admitted to the Intensive care unit. Gram-negative organisms are
the leading pathogens in these conditions. Equipment and medical
staff in the Intensive Care unit harbor certain infectious micro-
orgamsms which could infect patients admitted therein. In the
absence of working surveillance system in place, nosocomial
infections will continue to be a major factor in the increased
morbidity and mortality for patients admitted.
As bacteria
resistance to antimicrobials is a potential problem in the ICU,
means must be put in place to effect continuous surveillance of
antimicrobial resistance.
