Abstract:

The prevalence of hospital-acquired infection was measured in 47 hospitals in 14 countries in four

continents. The aim was to establish the evidence that hospital infection is a common and serious
problem throughout the world. Using a standard protocol, 28,861 patients were observed by local
teams of doctors and nurses in their own hospitals. The prevalence rates in individual hospitals
varied from 3% to 21% (median 8·4%). The highest rates were seen on intensive care (13·3%),
surgical (13.1%) and orthopedic wards (11·2%). Children under the age of 1 year (infection
prevalence 13·5%) and adults over 64 years (prevalence 12·0%) suffered more infection than
others. In children the commonest infections were of the lower respiratory tract, of the skin and
gastroenteritis. In the elderly, urinary-tract infections predominated. The prevalence of
postoperative wound infection in individual hospitals ranged from 5·2% to 34·4%, with even
greater variation when the wounds were analyzed as clean, clean-contaminated and contaminated.
The micro-organisms isolated from infected patients were like previous surveys: Escherichia
coli and Staphylococcus aureus each caused a sixth of the infections with positive microbiological
results. When examined, 30% of patients were on antimicrobial drugs. Penicillin,
ampicillin/amoxycillin and gentamicin were the commonest antibiotics used.
REPORT

Information about above quoted Research Study:

Authors: R.T.Mayon-White, E.Tikomirov, G.Ducel, T.Kereselidze

Tittle: An international survey of the prevalence of hospital-acquired infection.

Journal: Journal of Hospital Infection

Publishing Date: February 1988

Research Investigation:

Infections acquired in hospitals becomes very common. The purpose of this research is to
investigate which departments/areas causes more infection and what common infections normally
occurs. In the end, conclusion presented with results of survey obtained.

Research Methodology:

To carry out survey around 28,861 were observed by team of local doctors at their respective
hospitals. This survey took place in 4 continents, in 14 countries in total of 47 hospitals. This is
quite a big sample size with diversity of different places. So, a result obtained using this
methodology will be considered reliable.

Statistical results and Sample Size Selected:

The prevalence rates in individual hospitals varied from 3% to 21% (median 8·4%). Around 13.3%
of infections spread in intensive care which is quite high, In surgical (13.1%) and orthopedic wards
(11·2%).

Children under the age of 1 year (infection prevalence 13·5%) and adults over 64 years (prevalence
12·0%) suffered more infection than others. In children the commonest infections were of the
lower respiratory tract, of the skin and gastroenteritis.
In the elderly, urinary-tract infections predominated. The prevalence of postoperative wound
infection in individual hospitals ranged from 5·2% to 34·4%, with even greater variation when the
wounds were analyzed as clean, clean-contaminated and contaminated.

Population to which it Apply:

Since sample size is quite big and data taken from different continents and different countries. So,
the results obtained from this data can be generalized to big population.

Conclusion and Interpretation:

Statistical data obtained shows that certain areas have high rate of infectious diseases which leads
to use of antibiotics. When examined, 30% of patients were on antimicrobial drugs. Penicillin,
ampicillin/amoxycillin and gentamicin were the commonest antibiotics used. Further statistical
analysis of obtained data gives better picture before making any decision regarding this data.