[Nosocomial infections during the COVID-19 outbreak. Observational study in an Italian ICU].

Abstract

. Nosocomial infections during the COVID-19 outbreak. Observational study in an Italian ICU.

Introduction: Infections are common among ICU patients.

Aim: The purpose of this study is to examine the incidence of nosocomial infections among patients admitted to the ICU with SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Methods: A prospective observational study in adults with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection requiring intensive care unit (ICU) admission was performed. From May 2020 to October 2021, a total of 109 admitted patients were included.

Results: The incidence rate of new infections was 39.4%. The main infections observed were multidrug-resistant germs infections (39.5%), catheter-related blood infections(24.4%), pneumonia (VAP)(18.6%), and urinary tract infections (17.4%). The overall mortality rate was 32.1% (n= 35) and was significantly higher in patients who had a new infection during hospitalization (n= 26/43, 60.4%) than in patients who did not have a new infection (n= 9/66, 13.6%) (RR = 4.43; 95% CI = 2.31-8.52; p <.001).

Conclusions: Our data suggest that secondary infections are associated with a longer duration of mechanical ventilation and hospital stay and may negatively impact patient survival. However, larger studies are needed.