Prevalence of hospital-acquired infection among patients with acute neurological conditions in the ICU

Abstract

Introduction

Healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) are a significant cause of morbidity and mortality. HAIs become crucial in patients with neurological illnesses, as they need invasive procedures and extended care, prolonging the hospital stay in most cases. In this study, we report the type, microbial etiology, and outcome of patients with HAIs in a Neurology Intensive Care Unit setting.

Methods

In this prospective study, 213 neurologically ill patients were recruited. Patient demographics, primary diagnosis, comorbidities, invasive interventions, device specific data, and length of hospital stay were recorded. Data collected for each episode of HAI included- site of infection, causative organisms, and susceptibility. Site specific infections were categorised as per CDC/NHSN definitions for HAIs.

Results

The median age of patients was 60 years (range 15–88) and 66.70 % were male. HAIs were observed in 135 (63.38 %) patients. Majority of the patients had stroke (ischemic/haemorrhagic) [n = 142;66.66 %] followed by neuromuscular [n = 18; 8.45 %] and seizure disorder [n = 14; 6.57 %]. Most prevalent site of HAIs was urinary tract infections (UTI) (n = 80;37.55 %) followed by pneumonia (n = 74;34.74 %) and blood stream infections (n = 53;24.88 %). 209 patients (98.12 %) underwent urinary catheterization, 90 (42.3 %) required intubation and mechanical ventilation, and 70 (32.86 %) central venous catheterisations. Amongst various HAIs, commonly isolated bacterial pathogens in UTI were Escherichia coli [18/48;37.59 %], Enterococcus [10/48;20.83 %] while Candida species [35/40;87.50 %] was the most common amongst fungal pathogens. Causative organisms in Pneumonia were Klebsiella pneumoniae (27/104;25.96 %), Acinetobacter baumannii (n = 25/104;24.03 %), and Pseudomonas aeruginosa [14/104;13.46 %]. Among the blood stream infections, Staphylococcus species were the most common [39/161;24.22 %] followed by candida species [5/161;3.10 %]. Out of 55 patients who died, HAI was observed in 39 patients (70.90 %). Mean length of hospital stay was 17.56 ± 13.17 days. Presence of coronary artery disease, pulmonary site infection, low Glasgow Coma Scale, central venous catheterization, mechanical ventilation, abnormal chest x-ray, and multiple site infections were significantly associated with high mortality (p < 0.05).

Conclusion

In our study 63.38% of neurological patients had HAIs. The most common sites were urinary, pulmonary, and blood stream infections. Device associated infections were common and significantly associated with poor outcome. Considering the high incidence of HAIs early recognition and treatment of site-specific pathogens may improve the outcome in these patients.