Five-Year Surveillance of Nosocomial Infections Following Orthopedic Surgery in a Private Medical Center

Abstract

Introduction Nosocomial infections (NI) are a major problem in health care facilities resulting in extended length of stay substantial morbidity and mortality and excess cost. In this study we aimed to know the rates distribution profiles of NIs following orthopedic surgery and share our first 5-year experience in a private medical center. Materials and methods There is an active prospective and laboratory-based surveillance program since January 1999 at Florence Nightingale Hospital in Istanbul Turkey which is a Kadir Has University affiliated private medical center where more than 700 orthopedic operations are performed every year. Results A total of 112 patients (3 4%) had 125 NIs between 1999 and 2003 following 3 249 orthopedic surgeries. The mean age was 58.2 +/- 22.1 years (range 3-88). A total of 68 (61%) operations were elective and implant material was used in a total of 97 (87%) cases. The sites of operation were vertebra hip and knee in 44 (39.3%) 32 (28.6%) and nine (8.0%) of the operations respectively. The changes in the annual rates of surgical site infections (SSIs) (P<0.05) urinary tract infections (UTIs) (P<0.005) and total of NIs (P<0.001) in 5-year period were statistically significant. The changes in lower respiratory tract infections (LRTI) bloodstream infections (BSI) and other infections were not statistically significant (P>0.05). Conclusion This study allowed an evaluation of incidence and distribution of NIs following orthopedic surgery in a private medical center and showed the effect of ICC in decreasing the rates.