ICU INFECTIONS IN A SUPER SPECIALITY CANCER INSTITUTE

Abstract

Background: Intensive care unit (ICU) acquired infections account for substantial morbidity and mortality. The study aimed to evaluate the quality indicators and microbial ora and also healthcare professionals for applying the safe practices in the ICU of the cancer institute. Patients andMethods:This prospective,observationalstudywas conductedina tertiarycare cancer hospitalfromSeptember2017toFebruary2018. Results: Catheter-related blood-stream infections (CRBSI) -5.72% was the most frequently observed ICU-acquired infection, while the rates of catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTI) - 2.76% and surgical site infections (SSI) - 1.55% were lower than CRBSI. The percentage of VAP was (1.14%), while bedsore was low (0.16%). There were only 6 cases of needle stick injury (NSI) with 0.02%. Out of all the microbial ora, Gram-negative organisms were common with E. Coli constituting 27.33% followed by Klebsiella 12.17%. The result of the evaluation of the healthcare professionals (nursing staff) for applying the safe practices in ICU through a structured questionnaire was 99%. Conclusions: Among the quality indicators, CRBSI was the most frequently observed ICU-acquired infection followed by CAUTI. E. Coli followed by Klebsiella was the most prevalent microbial ora. The application of safe practices by the healthcare professionals (nursing staff) in the ICU of our cancer institute was 99%. Our recommendations would help HCP in other ICU facilities in improving quality indicators and reducing ICU infections.