To study Incidance of nosocomial infections in surgical intensive care unit of a large teaching hospital in north India

Background: Nosocomial infections (NIs) constitute an important worldwide health problem with high morbidity and mortality rate as well as economic consequences. We aimed to determine incidence of nosocomial infection in surgical intensive care unit (SICU). Aims & Objectives: To find out incidence of nosocomial infection in surgical intensive care unit (SICU) at a large teaching hospital in North India. Methods: A prospective cohort study was conducted during a period of one year from 1st Oct 2013 to 30th Sep 2014 in SICU of SKIMS. The researcher visited the SICU on daily basis at 10 am in the morning to note down presence or absence of signs and symptoms of nosocomial infection as per the laid down criteria. The researcher used inpatient records, interacted with clinical staff to establish absence or presence of nosocomial infection. Criteria for establishment of nosocomial infections were adopted in accordance with the simplified definition derived from the Centre for disease control, USA. Results: During this period a total of 600 patients were admitted in SICU of SKIMS for more than 48 hours and were included in the study. Of 600 patients, 190 (31.7%) were confirmed and documented with nosocomial infection. Respiratory tract infection was the most common nosocomial infection present in 74.7 % patients (n=142) among the total 190 documented cases of nosocomial infection, followed by septicemia in 26.8%, (n=51) and then surgical site infection in 11.05%, (n=21). Vascular catheter associated infection was found in 5.8% (n=11) while urinary tract infection was found only in 2.6% (n=5). It is pertinent to mention that some cases were infected with more than one type of nosocomial infection such that 190 patients developed a total of 230 infections. Conclusion: Nosocomial infections are an important healthcare adverse events and need to be reduced.