Nosocomial infections in respiratory failure patients in intensive care unit

ABSTRACT

The subjects of this study were 20 ventilated patients with acute respiratory failure and chronic obstructive disease [COD] admitted to the General Intensive Care Unit of Zagazig University Hospital and needed ventilation. Sputum samples from patients and swabs from different parts of ventilators were cultured on Blood agar and MacConkey's agar. Then these cultures were examined for bacterial growth, colonial morphology and cultural characteristics, Gram stained films were done and examined microscopically to identify the organism. As regards ventilated patients 9 patients out of 20 [45%] were already infected before ventilation. After 24 hours the incidence of infection increased to 11 patients [55%]. While after 48 hours 16 patients out of 20 [80%] were infected and increased to 18 patients [90%] after 72 hours. The most predominate organisms isolated from endotracheal secretion were Gram-negative bacilli. [40%]. The use ventilators limb were found to be the main source of contamintion. Only one ventilator [5%] was found to be contaminated from limbs before use. After 24 hours 8 ventilators [50%] and after 48 hours ventilators [45%] were contaminated 10 ventilators [50%] were contaminated from limb after 72 hours. The most prevalent organisms isolated from ventilators were Gram-negative bacilli. The antibiotic sensitivity of the isolated organisms was done