Prevalence of nosocomial infections in Udornthanee Hospital 1990.

A prevalence study on nosocomial infections was done in Undornthanee Hospital on November 13, 1990. Definitions by the Hospital Infection Control Group of Thailand were applied. The prevalence of N.I. in 518 patients was 9.1 per cent. The intensive care unit had the highest infection rate of 23.1% followed by paediatrics (18.2%). The commonest site of N.I. was traumatic wounds (25%), while urinary tract, lower respiratory tract and surgical wounds came second (each with 16.7%). Bacterial cultures were done in 37 cases (78.7 per cent). Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Klebsiella species were the commonest isolates. Aminoglycosides, penicillins and cephalosporins were the commonly used antibiotics.

Precaution against nosocomial spread of cholera in Udornthanee Hospital.

From February to April 1988, there was an outbreak of cholera in Udornthanee Province. One hundred and twenty-four culture-documented cases were admitted into Udornthanee Hospital. Prevention of nosocomial spread of V. cholerae was done by the implementation of proper practices, surveillance culture and routine surveillance. There was no nosocomial spread of V. cholerae to patients or medical personnel. It was also shown that these practices were effective in prevention of contamination of the environment. It is concluded that simple measures are effective in the prevention of spread of V. cholerae in health care settings.