Risk factors for secondary infection after liver failure and effect of comprehensive nursing intervention

Abstract

BACKGROUND In patients with liver failure (LF), the high rate of secondary infections, which are associated with poor prognosis, highlights the clinical significance of understanding the underlying risk factors and implementing targeted intervention programs. AIM To investigate risk factors for secondary infections in patients with LF and evaluate the effectiveness of comprehensive nursing interventions. METHODS This retrospective study included 64 patients with LF, including 32 with and 32 without secondary infections. A questionnaire was used to collect data on age; laboratory parameters, including total and direct bilirubin, prothrombin time, blood ammonia, and other biochemical parameters; invasive procedures; and complications. Patients with secondary infections received comprehensive nursing intervention in addition to routine nursing care, whereas those without secondary infections received only routine nursing care to compare the effect of nursing intervention on outcomes. RESULTS The infection rate, which was not associated with age or complications, was significantly associated with biochemical parameters and invasive procedures (P < 0.05). The infection rate was 61.6% in patients who had undergone invasive procedures and 32.1% in those who had not undergone invasive procedures during the hospital stay. The infection rate was also significantly associated with the type of LF (P < 0.05), with the lowest rate observed in patients with acute LF and the highest rate observed in those with subacute LF. The nursing satisfaction rate was 58.3% in the uninfected group and 91.7% in the infected group, indicating significantly higher satisfaction in the infected group (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION In patients with LF, the rate of secondary infections was high and associated with biochemical parameters and type of LF. Comprehensive nursing intervention can improve patient satisfaction.