Point-prevalence surveys of hospital-acquired infections in a Chinese cancer hospital: From 2014 to 2018.

BACKGROUND

Both hospital-acquired infection (HAI) and cancer represents major health concerns worldwide, but there is a paucity of data describing HAI in Chinese cancer patients. The objective of this study is to demonstrate the prevalence, causative agents, antimicrobial use and risk factors for HAI in a cancer hospital in Southwestern China.

METHODS

We use the criteria of the Ministry of Health of the People's Republic of China to define hospital-acquired infections. One-day cross-sectional surveys were annually conducted from 2014 to 2018. Trained staff collected hospital-acquired infections, antimicrobial use and clinical characteristics data of inpatients. Multivariate logistic regression was used to determine the potential risk factors associated with HAIs.

RESULTS

Of the 6717 patients surveyed, there were 140 patients (2.1%, 95% confidence interval, 1.7-2.4%) with 144 distinct HAIs. Lower respiratory tract infections (47, 32.6%) and surgical-site infections (29, 20.1%) were the most common HAIs. Escherichia coli was the most common pathogen (29.6%). Risk factors for HAI included younger age (<18 years) or older age (>65 years), hospitalization in the intensive care unit, presence of central catheter and undergoing surgery in the previous 30 days. The overall prevalence of patients receiving antimicrobial agents was 15.2%.

CONCLUSION

To control hospital-acquired infections in cancer patients, surveillance and prevention strategies to infections associated with central catheters or related to surgery should be augmented.