Prospective study analyzing risk factors and characteristics of healthcare-associated infections in a Urology ward.

PURPOSE

Healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) in urological patients have special features due to specific risk factors. Our objective was to evaluate the characteristics and risk factors for HAIs in patients hospitalized in a Urology ward.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We evaluated prospectively, from 2012 to 2015, the incidence, types and risk factor for HAIs, microbiological and resistance patterns.

RESULTS

The incidence of HAIs was 6.3%. The most common types were urinary infections (70.5%) and surgical site infections (22.1%). Univariate analysis showed an increased risk of HAIs among patients with American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status classification system III-IV (odds ratio [OR], 1.39; p<0.001), immunosuppression (OR, 1.80; p=0.013), previous urinary infection (OR, 4.46; p<0,001), and urinary catheter before admission (OR, 1.74; p<0.001). The surgical procedures with the highest incidence of HAIs were radical cystectomy (54.2%) and renal surgery (8.7%). The most frequently isolated microorganisms were (25.1%), spp. (17.5%), spp. (13.5%) and (12.3%). was the most common microorganism after radical cystectomy and in surgical site infections, showed resistance rates of 53.5% for fluoroquinolones, 9.3% for amikacin. The percentage of extended-spectrum betalactamase producing was 24.7%. spp. showed resistance rates of 47.8% for fluoroquinolones, 7.1% for amikacin and 4.3% for carbapenems. spp showed resistance rates of 1.7% for vancomycin and; of 33.3% for carbapenems and 26.2% for amikacin.

CONCLUSIONS

Comorbidities, previous urinary infections, and urinary catheter are risk factors for HAIs. The microorganisms most commonly isolated were , and . Prospective monitoring may decrease the incidence of infections.