An overview of healthcare-associated infections in a tertiary care hospital in Egypt

BACKGROUND: Healthcare-associated infection (HAI) is a major problem in healthcare facilities and is associated with increased morbidity and mortality and prolonged hospital stay. This study aims to determine the incidence rate, risk factors, and bacterial aetiology of HAI in a tertiary care hospital in Mansoura, Egypt. METHODS: This is a prospective observational study carried out over 12 months in different departments of Mansoura New General Hospital (MNGH). Data were collected from patient's records and laboratory results of the ongoing HAI surveillance program. RESULTS: The incidence of HAI was 3.7% among 6912 patients studied. The independent predictors of HAI were multiple devices (AOR=88.1), central venous catheter (CVC) (AOR=34), urinary catheter (AOR=28.9) and length of stay >20 days (AOR=3.1). Surgical site infections (SSI) were the most frequent (24%) followed by catheter associated urinary tract infections (CAUTI) (20%). The most frequently isolated pathogens were Klebsiella spp. (27.2%), and E. coli (18%). CONCLUSIONS: HAI is a significant problem in MNGH. Klebsiella spp. were the predominant causative organisms of HAI, as has been described in other studies from developing countries.