ABSTRACT
The objective of this study was to find out the prevalence of infection by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in critically ill patients treated in the resuscitation room of the emergency department of Cabueñes Hospital (Gijón, Spain) and to stress the need to adopt universal preventative measures. This was a prospective study that included all the patients treated in the resuscitation room during 1994. It contains a protocolized collection of clinical-epidemiological variables and HIV serology respecting anonymity. The number of accidents with potential risk of contagion and use of preventative measures was directly observed. A total of 202 patients were treated. The prevalence of HIV positive was 4%. Seventy per cent were male and the average age was 31 years. In all the cases drug-taking through the parenteral route was suspected as a possible risk factor for infection. No accidents with risk of contagion were recorded and preventative measures were adopted in all the cases. It is concluded that the prevalence of HIV positive figures detected did not differ from previous studies. Although the profile of the HIV positive patients was well defined in this study, we must insist on the need to take preventative measures with all patients.
