Background: Traumatic brain injury has became one of a very import medical and social problem and one of the most serious causes of disability and morbidity. A long-term immobility leads to negative cardiovascular, respiratory, metabolic and musculoskeletal changes and put the patient at high risk of serious infections. Respiratory track infections are after urinary track infections the main cause of morbidity. Long-term ventilation and intubation are responsible for a hospital-acquired pneumonia (HAP).
Material and method: 398 patients after TBI hospitalized in rehabilitation clinic were evaluated taking into account the incidence of HAP. The microbiological studies were collected and the most frequent pathogen were described.
Results: The most frequent pathogen were Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus. Patients admitted to the rehabilitation clinic were infected with very refractory cultures of bacteria, drug resisted. These infections interrupt rehabilitation process and make it longer. There are no standards for managing patients after TBI with tracheostomy. There is a necessity of creating such standards.
Conclusions: One of the most frequent pathogens involved in respiratory tract infections are: Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus. Most patients hospitalized at Intensive Care Units were in carrier state. These complications extend the rehabilitation process and generate high costs. It is necessary to create standards of care of patients with tracheostomy after head injury.