ABSTRACT
Purpose: Bloodstream infections (BSIs) are one of the major life-threatening infections in
hospitals. They are responsible for prolonged hospital stays, high healthcare costs,
and significant mortality. The epidemiology of BSIs varies between hospitals necessitating
analysis of local trends. Few studies are available on trauma patients, who are predisposed
due to the presence of multiple invasive devices.
Materials and Methods: A prospective surveillance of all BSIs was done at a level 1 trauma center from April,
2011 to March, 2012. All patients admitted to the different trauma intensive care
units (ICUs) were monitored daily by attending physicians for subsequent development
of nosocomial BSI. An episode of BSI was identified when patients presented with one
or more of the following signs/symptoms, that is, fever, hypothermia, chills, or hypotension
and at least one or more blood culture samples demonstrated growth of pathogenic bacteria.
BSIs were further divided into primary and secondary BSIs as per the definitions of
Center for Disease Control and Prevention. All patients developing nosocomial BSIs
were followed till their final outcome.
Results: A total of 296 episodes of nosocomial BSIs were observed in 240 patients. A source
of BSI was identified in 155 (52%) episodes. Ventilator-associated pneumonia was the
most common source of secondary BSI. The most common organism was Acinetobacter sp. (21.5%). Candida sp. accounted for 12% of all blood stream organisms. A high prevalence of antimicrobial
resistance was observed in Gram-negative and-positive pathogens.
Conclusions: Trauma patients had a high prevalence of BSIs. Since secondary bacteremia was more
common, a targeted approach to prevention of individual infections would help in reducing
the burden of BSIs.
Key words:
Central line associated-BSI - ICUs - nosocomial blood stream infections - secondary
bacteremia - trauma