Surveillance of infections in hospital: agents and antibiotic-resistance

Eur J Epidemiol. 1997 Feb;13(2):217-21. doi: 10.1023/a:1007344811455.

Abstract

The surveillance system for Hospital Acquired Infections (HAI) implemented in the S. Eugenio hospital of Rome allows to monitor the distribution of the micro-organisms by service and their resistance to antibiotics. It is based upon the data collected by the Central Analysis Laboratory of the hospital. The data of four high-risk departments (Surgical service, Intensive Care Unit, Haematology, Burn Unit) are reported. In the period October 1992-September 1993, 3909 samples have been analyzed; 1603 (43.1%) were found positive to the microbiologic analysis. The results of the antibiotic resistance concerning four micro-organisms, agents of HAI are reported and discussed. Surveillance systems are necessary to limit the frequency of HAI.

MeSH terms

  • Bacteria / drug effects*
  • Bacteria / isolation & purification*
  • Bacterial Infections / microbiology
  • Bacterial Infections / prevention & control*
  • Cross Infection / microbiology
  • Cross Infection / prevention & control*
  • Drug Resistance, Microbial
  • Drug Resistance, Multiple
  • Hospital Information Systems
  • Humans
  • Microbial Sensitivity Tests
  • Rome
  • Sentinel Surveillance*