Objective: The aim of this study was the epidemiological and microbiological analysis of hospital acquired infections (HAIs) among patients after caesarean section (CS) procedures in two hospitals in southern Poland between 2004 and 2006.
Materials and methods: 1992 CS procedures were performed in both hospitals during the investigated period of time and 91 cases of HAI were detected. In each case, the etiology of HAI was assessed. Definitions and criteria of HAIs were based on those of NNIS program of CDC.
Results: General morbidity rates were 4.1% (hospital no. 1) and 4.8% (hospital no. 2) and surgical site infections (SSIs) rates were 3.9% and 3.8%, respectively. The difference between those rates and the rates published by NNIS hospitals was not statistically important Most of the detected cases of SSIs were detected during patients' stay at the hospitals. Dominant etiological factors of the SSIs were Gram positive cocci(hospital no. 1) and Gram negative bacilli (hospital no. 2).
Conclusions: Results obtained in the study confirm the possibility of introducing HAIs control programs in Polish obstetric wards and also the necessity of HAIs detection after discharging patients from the hospital. Unfortunately, lack of data from other Polish hospitals makes it impossible to assess the situation in the country.