Drug resistance of pathogens causing nosocomial infection in orthopedics from 2012 to 2017: a 6-year retrospective study

BACKGROUND: Hospital-acquired infections (HAIs) are an emerging global problem that increases in-hospital mortality, length of stay, and cost. We performed a 6-year retrospective study to provide valuable insight into appropriate antibiotic use in HAI cases. We also aimed to understand how hospitals could reduce pathogen drug resistance in a population that overuses antibiotics. METHODS: All data (2012–2017) were obtained from the hospital information warehouse and clinical microbiology laboratory. RESULTS: We isolated 1392 pathogen strains from patients admitted to the orthopedics department during 2012–2017. Escherichia coli (14.7%, 204/1392), Enterobacter cloacae (13.9%, 193/1392), and Staphylococcus aureus (11.3%, 157/1392) were the most common pathogens causing nosocomial infections. The dominant Gram-negative bacterium was E. coli, with high resistance to ampicillin, levofloxacin, cotrimoxazole, gentamicin, and ciprofloxacin, in that order. E. coli was least resistant to amikacin, cefoperazone-sulbactam. The most dominant Gram-positive bacterium was S. aureus, highly resistant to penicillin and ampicillin, but not resistant to fluoroquinolones and cotrimoxazole. Analysis of risk factors related to multidrug-resistant bacteria showed that patients with open fractures (Gustillo III B and IIIC) were significantly more susceptible to methicillin-resistant S. aureus infections (p < 0.05). Additionally, extended-spectrum β-lactamase-producing E. coli infections occurred significantly more often in patients with degenerative diseases (p < 0.05). Elderly patients tended to be more susceptible to multidrug-resistant bacterial infections, but this outcome was not statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS: Antimicrobial resistance is a serious problem in orthopedics. To effectively control antimicrobial resistance among pathogens, we advocate extensive and dynamic monitoring of MDR bacteria, coupled with careful use of antibiotics.