Burden of Healthcare-associated infections in a Tunisian University Hospital in 2019

Abstract

Background : Healthcare-associated infections (HAI) represent a real threat to patient safety and their prevention should be a priority for any Health system. Prevalence surveys constitute one of the most common methods of HAI epidemiological surveillance to determine the burden of this problem.

Aim : The aim of this study is to determine the prevalence of HAI and its associated risk factors.

Methods: It is a cross-sectional survey, carried out at Farhat Hached University Hospital in 2019, over a period of nine days including all patients who had been hospitalized for at least 48 hours, in 21 clinical departments of our hospital. A single passage has been carried out by department.

Results: Of 373 patients included, a total of 66 patients experienced HAI, with a mean prevalence of 17.7%. In addition, four patients suffered from two types of HAIs. The overall prevalence of HAI in Farhat Hached University Hospital was 19%. Peripheral venous catheter associated infection (41.5%) was the most common type of infections recorded in this survey.

Patients admitted to a surgical ward were 4.6 times more likely to acquire HAIs. Patients admitted for more than 7 days were 4.57 times more at risk of developing HAIs. Exposure to peripheral venous catheter, to central venous catheter and to mechanical ventilation were among significant risk factors responsible for HAI with adjusted OR of 4.90, 10.65 and11.99, respectively.

Conclusion : Prevalence of HAI is high at our center. National strategy to address HAI should be implemented for better control of HAIs.