Severity of underlying disease as a predictor of nosocomial infection. Utility in the control of nosocomial infection
M. R. Britt, C. J. Schleupner and S. Matsumiya
In a prospective study, we determined that severity of underlying disease
at time of admission indicates medical patients at unusual risk of
nosocomial infection. The nosocomial infection rate was 23.6% in patients
with fatal underlying disease, 9.6% in those with ultimately fatal disease,
and 2.1% in those with nonfatal disease. After an awareness program that
promoted the use of established methods for prevention of nosocomial
infections was established, there was a decline of overall incidence of
endemic nosocomial infections from 9.2% to 4.8% (P less than .001) within
an eight-month period. With subsequent discontinuation of the program, the
infection rate rose to 8.1%. Reinstitution of the program resulted in a
decline to 5.2% (P = .05).
