Usefulness of severity indices in intensive care medicine as a predictor of nosocomial infection risk

Intensive Care Med. 1991;17(6):336-9. doi: 10.1007/BF01716192.

Abstract

To evaluate the relationship between severity and nosocomial infection in critical patients, we have conducted a prospective study at the Intensive Care Unit of the University of Granada Hospital (Spain). Patients' severity was evaluated by APACHE II and TISS. We found a positive association with nosocomial infection risk for an APACHE II score greater than 12 points (RR = 2.45) and for first-day TISS greater than 20 points (RR = 2.51). With a multivariate analysis we did not find an association between APACHE II and nosocomial infection risk, but each TISS point suggests an infection risk increment of 6%. We concluded TISS may be considered a good infection risk predictor. TISS could also be taken into account when nosocomial infection rates from several ICUs are compared.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Cross Infection / complications
  • Cross Infection / epidemiology*
  • Cross Infection / etiology
  • Evaluation Studies as Topic
  • Hospitals, University
  • Humans
  • Intensive Care Units*
  • Length of Stay / statistics & numerical data
  • Logistic Models
  • Predictive Value of Tests
  • Prognosis
  • Prospective Studies
  • Risk Factors
  • Severity of Illness Index*
  • Spain / epidemiology