A Culture of Early Mobilization in Adult Intensive Care Units: Perspective and Competency of Physicians.

BACKGROUND: Early mobility (EM) is vital in the intensive care unit (ICU) to counteract immobility-related effects. A multidisciplinary approach is key, as it requires precise initiation knowledge. However, physicians' understanding of EM in adult ICU settings remains unexplored. This study was conducted to investigate the knowledge and clinical competency of physicians working in adult ICUs toward EM. METHODS: This cross-sectional study enrolled 236 physicians to assess their knowledge of EM. A rigorously designed survey comprising 30 questions across the demographic, theoretical, and clinical domains was employed. The criteria for knowledge and competency were aligned with the minimum passing score (70%) stipulated for physician licensure by the medical regulatory authority in Saudi Arabia. RESULTS: Nearly 40% of the respondents had more than 5 years of experience. One-third of the respondents received theoretical knowledge about EM as part of their residency training, and only 4% of the respondents attended formal courses to enhance their knowledge. Almost all the respondents (95%) stated their awareness of EM benefits and its indications and contraindications and considered it safe to mobilize patients on mechanical ventilators. However, 62.3% of the respondents did not support EM for critically ill patients on mechanical ventilators until weaning. In contrast, 51.7% of respondents advised EM for agitated patients with RASS > 2. Only 113 (47.9%) physicians were competent in determining the suitability of ICU patients for EM. For critically ill patients who should be mobilized, nearly 60% of physicians refused to initiate EM. CONCLUSIONS: This study underscores insufficient practical knowledge of ICU physicians about EM criteria, which leads to suboptimal decisions, particularly in complex ICU cases. These findings emphasize the need for enhanced training and education of physicians working in adult ICU settings to optimize patient care and outcomes in critical care settings.

Nurses' perceptions of patient pain, delirium, and sedation assessments in the intensive care unit: A qualitative study.

BACKGROUND: Pain, delirium, and sedation should be assessed routinely using validated assessment scales. Inappropriately managed pain, delirium, and sedation in critically ill patients can have serious consequences regarding mortality, morbidity, and increased healthcare costs. Despite the benefits of a bundled approach to pain, delirium, and sedation assessments, few studies have explored nurses' perceptions of using validated scales for such assessments. Furthermore, no studies have examined nurses' perceptions of undertaking these assessments as a bundled approach. OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to explore nurses' knowledge, perceptions, attitudes, and experiences regarding the use of validated pain, delirium, and sedation assessment tools as a bundled approach in the intensive care unit (ICU). METHODS: A qualitative exploratory descriptive design was adopted. We conducted four focus groups and 10 individual interviews with 23 nurses from a 26-bed adult ICU at an Australian metropolitan tertiary teaching hospital. Data were analysed using thematic analysis techniques. FINDINGS: Four themes were identified: (i) factors impacting nurses' ability to undertake pain, delirium, and sedation assessments in the ICU; (ii) use, misuse, and nonuse of tools and use of alternative strategies to assess pain, delirium, and sedation; (iii) implementing assessment tools; and (iv) consequences of suboptimal pain, delirium, and sedation assessments. A gap was found in nurses' use of validated scales to assess pain, delirium, and sedation as a bundled approach, and they were not familiar with using a bundled approach to assessment. CONCLUSION: The practice gap could be addressed using a carefully planned implementation strategy. Strategies could include a policy and protocol for assessing pain, delirium, and sedation in the ICU, engagement of change champions to facilitate uptake of the strategy, reminder and feedback systems, further in-service education, and ongoing workplace training for nurses.

Incidence, prevalence and risk factors of device-related pressure injuries in adult intensive care unit: A meta-analysis of 10,084 patients from 11 countries.

Device-related pressure injuries (DRPIs) prevail in the intensive care unit (ICU) and have much to do with medical devices and patients' conditions. This meta-analysis aims to systematically assess the incidence, prevalence and risk factors related to DRPIs among adults in ICU. Web of Science, Cochrane Library, MEDLINE, PubMed and CINAHL were searched from inception to March 2023. Observational studies were included, and the Newcastle-Ottawa scale (NOS) was used to assess literature quality. The primary outcomes were the incidence, prevalence and risk factors regarding DRPIs among adults in ICU. The 19 studies conformed to the criteria for inclusion in the review. The estimated pooled incidence of DRPIs was 14.7% (95% CI: 9.7%-19.6%) in 10 studies (4866 participants). The estimated pooled prevalence of DRPIs was 19.0% (95% CI: 13.6%-24.3%) in 9 studies (5218 participants). The most significant risk factor for DRPIs was using mechanical ventilation. The pooled analysis of the four studies showed that DRPIs were more likely to occur in patients who required mechanical ventilation compared with patients who did not use mechanical ventilation (OR: 9.67, 95% CI: 5.03-18.61, p < 0.001) and using vasopressors, age, length of ICU stays, APACHE II score, Braden score, fever, sex, oedema, diabetes and number of medical devices, SOFA score was also related to pressure injuries risk. The incidence and prevalence of DRPIs in adult ICU were high, and the most significant risk factor for DRPIs was using mechanical ventilation. It is imminent to identify patients of increased risk with DRPIs early.

Assessment of Knowledge, Attitude, and Adherence to National Guidelines for Preventing Central Line-Associated Bloodstream Infections Among ICU Nurses of Adult Patients in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia: A Cross-Sectional Survey.

BACKGROUND: Central line-associated bloodstream infections (CLABSIs) pose a significant burden on patient outcomes in intensive care units (ICUs). Adherence to evidence-based guidelines for CLABSI prevention is crucial in reducing healthcare-associated infections. This study aimed to assess the knowledge, attitude, and practice adherence to national guidelines for preventing CLABSIs among adult ICU nurses in Ministry of Health (MOH) hospitals in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.  Methods: This cross-sectional survey included all adult ICU nurses with a minimum of one year of experience from the four major MOH hospitals in Jeddah with operational adult ICUs. A self-administered online questionnaire was utilized for data collection. Descriptive statistics, t-tests, ANOVA, and Pearson correlation were employed for data analysis.  Results: A total of 203 nurses completed the questionnaire (response rate: 91.5%). The overall knowledge score was 71%. Only 20% of nurses answered over 90% of the knowledge questions correctly, and merely 8% answered all questions correctly. Higher knowledge levels were significantly associated with older age, longer ICU nursing experience, higher education, holding a head nurse position, and attending educational courses on CLABSI prevention. Regarding attitudes, 58% of respondents had a positive perception of guideline utility for CLABSI prevention. In terms of adherence, the overall score was 65%, with only 5% reporting complete adherence to evidence-based practices for preventing CLABSIs.  Conclusion: This study highlights knowledge gaps, suboptimal adherence, and the need for targeted interventions to enhance nurses' understanding of and adherence to evidence-based guidelines for preventing CLABSIs among adult ICU nurses in Jeddah's MOH hospitals. Enhancing knowledge, attitudes, and practice adherence is crucial for reducing CLABSI risks and improving patient outcomes. Further research investigating the factors influencing nurses' knowledge, acceptance, and application of evidence-based guidelines is warranted to inform the development of tailored interventions and educational strategies.

Tecnologia para prevenção de pneumonia associada à ventilação mecânica em unidade de terapia intensiva adulto / Technology for the prevention of ventilator-associated pneumonia in an adult intensive care unit

Resumo: A Pneumonia Associada à Ventilação (PAV) é uma das infecções relacionadas à assistência à saúde mais incidentes nas Unidades de Terapia Intensiva (UTI), e está relacionada com aumento do tempo de internação, os custos hospitalares e a mortalidade. Os bundles, ou conjunto de medidas preventivas, são tecnologias em saúde, cuja implementação em UTI está relacionada à diminuição da Densidade de Incidência (DI) de PAV, tempo de ventilação e internação hospitalar. Objetivo: implementar um bundle de prevenção à PAV, por meio de intervenção educativa, com uso de tecnologias educacionais, junto à equipe multiprofissional de uma UTI adulto de um hospital público do Paraná, localizado no litoral do estado. Método: estudo quase-experimental do tipo antes e depois, de intervenção educativa, realizado de janeiro a maio de 2022, composto por três fases: pré-intervenção, intervenção e pós-intervenção. A intervenção ocorreu no mês de março de 2022, com 70 profissionais da UTI, dividida em três encontros, e utilizou como tecnologias educacionais: aula expositiva-dialogada, vídeos, gamificação de estudos de caso, banner, infográfico e demonstração da prática em manequim. Para categorização dos profissionais, utilizou-se de questionário entregue no momento da intervenção educativa. Incluíram-se os profissionais da equipe multiprofissional da UTI, enfermeiros, técnicos de enfermagem, médicos e fisioterapeutas. Inseriram-se os pacientes adultos, em VM, internados na UTI e foram analisados os respectivos prontuários. Os dados foram coletados por meio de check-list de adesão ao bundle de PAV, por paciente, e preenchido pelas pesquisadoras, através de observação direta não participante dos procedimentos realizados aos pacientes incluídos e análise de prontuário destes. Os dados foram tabulados e lançados em planilha do programa Excel®, com análise estatística descritiva, com frequências absolutas, relativas e média. Resultados: a implementação do bundle por meio de intervenção educativa, com uso de tecnologias educacionais, possibilitou debate, envolvimento e interação entre os profissionais participantes, com troca de experiências, contribuições e discussão da prática assistencial. Realizaram-se 488 observações, 61 pacientes foram incluídos e 26 desenvolveram PAV. Registraram-se 33 óbitos (sendo 12 na fase pré e 21 na fase pós), destes, 19 tinham PAV. A DI de PAV da fase pré-intervenção foi de 25,58 PAV/VM-dia e da fase pós-intervenção foi de 31,74 PAV/ VM-dia. Houve aumento da taxa de adesão geral ao bundle na fase pós-intervenção, que foi de 67,64%, em comparação com a fase pré (33%). O item do bundle com maior adesão foi a manutenção da pressão do cuff (93,03%), seguido da higiene oral (82,99%), cabeceira elevada (78,07%), manutenção do sistema de ventilação mecânica conforme as recomendações vigentes no país (69,05%), redução da sedação (67,0%) e verificação da possibilidade de extubação (38,72%). Conclusão: a implementação do bundle, por meio de intervenção educativa, com uso de tecnologias educacionais, somada à vigilância à beira leito da realização das medidas de prevenção à PAV, demonstrou aumento da adesão ao bundle após a intervenção, porém não houve redução da DI de PAV. Podem existir explicações alternativas, como ausência de protocolos de sedação e teste de respiração espontânea, convergências carentes de intervenção.

Abstract: Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia (VAP) is one of the most frequent healthcare-associated infections in Intensive Care Units (ICU), and is related to increased length of stay, hospital costs and mortality. Bundles, or a set of preventive measures, are health technologies whose implementation in the ICU is related to the decrease in VAP Incidence Density (DI), ventilation time and hospital stay. Objective: to implement a VAP prevention bundle, through educational intervention, with the use of educational technologies, together with the multidisciplinary team of an adult ICU of a public hospital in Paraná, located on the coast of the state. Method: a quasi-experimental before-and-after study of educational intervention, carried out from January to May 2022, consisting of three phases: pre-intervention, intervention and post-intervention. The intervention took place in March 2022, with 70 ICU professionals, divided into three meetings, and used as educational technologies: expository-dialogued class, videos, gamification of case studies, banner, infographic and demonstration of the practice on a mannequin. For categorization of professionals, a questionnaire delivered at the time of the educational intervention was used. Professionals from the ICU multidisciplinary team, nurses, nursing technicians, physicians and physiotherapists were included. Adult patients in VM, admitted to the ICU were included and their medical records were analyzed. Data were collected through a check-list of adherence to the VAP bundle, per patient, and filled in by the researchers, through direct observation of the non-participant of the procedures performed on the included patients and analysis of their medical records. The data were tabulated and entered in an Excel® spreadsheet, with descriptive statistical analysis, with absolute, relative and average frequencies. Results: the implementation of the bundle through educational intervention, using educational technologies, enabled debate, involvement and interaction among the participating professionals, with exchange of experiences, contributions and discussion of care practice. There were 488 observations, 61 patients were included and 26 developed VAP. There were 33 deaths (12 in the prephase and 21 in the post-phase), of which 19 had VAP. The VAP DI in the pre-intervention phase was 25.58 VAP/MV-day and in the post-intervention phase it was 31.74 VAP/MV-day. There was an increase in the overall adherence rate to the bundle in the post-intervention phase, which was 67.64%, compared to the pre-phase (33%). The bundle item with the highest adherence was maintenance of cuff pressure (93.03%), followed by oral hygiene (82.99%), elevated headboard (78.07%), maintenance of the mechanical ventilation system as recommended in the country (69.05%), reduction of sedation (67.0%) and verification of the possibility of extubation (38.72%). Conclusion: the implementation of the bundle, through educational intervention, with the use of educational technologies, added to the surveillance at the bedside of the implementation of VAP prevention measures, showed an increase in adherence to the bundle after the intervention, but there was no reduction in DI of PAV. There may be alternative explanations, such as the absence of sedation protocols and spontaneous breathing tests, convergences lacking intervention.

Resistência antimicrobiana na infecção urinária em unidade de terapia intensiva / Antimicrobial resistance in urinary tract infection in the intensive care unit / Resistencia a los antimicrobianos en la infección del tracto urinario en la unidad de cuidados intensivos

A infecção do trato urinário (ITU) nada mais é do que o acometimento das vias urinárias por microrganismo. Entre as infecções hospitalares de maior incidência está a infecção do trato urinário, acometendo mais mulheres do que homens. Uma das possíveis causas dessa infecção, em pacientes na unidade de terapia intensiva (UTI), é o uso de cateter vesical. Seu tratamento inadequado pode ocasionar uma pielonefrite, podendo adentrar à circulação sanguínea, gerando uma infecção sistêmica e levar o paciente a óbito. A resistência antimicrobiana é uma das principais dificuldades encontrada em UTI sendo considerado um problema de saúde pública. O objetivo deste trabalho foi realizar um breve relato, baseado na literatura, sobre a resistência antimicrobiana na infecção urinária em unidade de terapia intensiva adulta. Em ambientes hospitalares o principal microrganismo causador de ITU é Escherichia coli, sendo 55,5% das culturas positivas estão associadas a procedimentos invasivos, como as sondas vesicais de demora, como consequência este é o microrganismo que mais apresenta resistência aos antimicrobianos utilizados como a ampicilina, trimetoprima e ciprofloxacino. O uso indiscriminado de antibióticos deixa em evidência a necessidade de análise criteriosa da real necessidade de qual antimicrobianos usar, tempo de uso e forma correta de administração. Portanto é necessária a ação dos profissionais de saúde frente a atenção ao paciente, desde a higiene das mãos, uso do cateter, quando necessário observar a real necessidade do uso do antimicrobianos e que esse seja feito após cultura e antibiograma.

Urinary tract infection (UTI) is nothing more than the involvement of the urinary tract by a microorganism. Among the hospital infections with the highest incidence is urinary tract infections, affecting more women than men. One of the possible causes of this infection in patients in the intensive care unit (ICU) is the use of a bladder catheter. Its inadequate treatment can cause pyelonephritis, which can enter the bloodstream, generating a systemic infection and leading the patient to death. Antimicrobial resistance is one of the main difficulties encountered in ICUs and is considered a public health problem. The objective of this study was to present a brief report, based on the literature, on antimicrobial resistance in urinary tract infections in an adult intensive care unit. In hospital environments, the main microorganism that causes UTI is Escherichia coli, and 55.5% of positive cultures are associated with invasive procedures, such as indwelling urinary catheters, as a consequence, this is the microorganism that is most resistant to antimicrobials used, such as ampicillin, trimethoprim and ciprofloxacin. The indiscriminate use of antibiotics highlights the need for a careful analysis of the real need for which antimicrobials to use, time of use, and correct form of administration. Therefore, it is necessary for the action of health professionals in the care of the patient, from the hygiene of the professional to, the use of the catheter, when necessary to observe the real need for the use of antimicrobials and that this is done after culture and antibiogram.

La infección del tracto urinario (ITU) no es más que la afectación de las vías urinarias por un microorganismo. Entre las infecciones hospitalarias con mayor incidencia se encuentra la infección del tracto urinario, que afecta más a mujeres que a hombres. Una de las posibles causas de esta infección en pacientes en la unidad de cuidados intensivos (UCI) es el uso de una sonda vesical. Su tratamiento inadecuado puede causar pielonefritis, la cual puede ingresar al torrente sanguíneo, generando una infección sistémica y llevando al paciente a la muerte. La resistencia a los antimicrobianos es una de las principales dificultades encontradas en las UCI y se considera un problema de salud pública. El objetivo de este estudio fue presentar un breve informe, basado en la literatura, sobre la resistencia antimicrobiana en infecciones del tracto urinario en una unidad de cuidados intensivos de adultos. En ambientes hospitalarios, el principal microorganismo causante de ITU es Escherichia coli, y el 55,5% de los cultivos positivos están asociados a procedimientos invasivos, como sondas vesicales permanentes, por lo que este es el microorganismo más resistente a los antimicrobianos utilizados, como la ampicilina. ., trimetoprima y ciprofloxacino. El uso indiscriminado de antibióticos pone de relieve la necesidad de un análisis cuidadoso de la necesidad real de qué antimicrobianos utilizar, el momento de uso y la forma correcta de administración. Por lo tanto, es necesaria la actuación de los profesionales de la salud en el cuidado del paciente, desde la higiene del profesional, uso del catéter, cuando sea necesario observar la necesidad real del uso de antimicrobianos y que este se realice previo cultivo y antibiograma.

The Effects of Pain, Agitation, Delirium, Immobility, and Sleep Disruption Education on Novice Nurses in Adult Intensive Care Units.

Intensive care unit (ICU) patients experience highly complex health problems, such as pain, agitation, delirium, immobility, and sleep disruption (PADIS), and require professional nursing care. The assessment of PADIS is critically important for ICU nurses, and therefore, PADIS education programs need to be conducted for these nurses to update and improve their caring knowledge, attitudes, and skills. The aims of this study are to bridge this gap by evaluating the effects of PADIS education programs on the knowledge, attitudes, and skills of these nurses, and compare the difference between novice and advanced nurses after receiving the PADIS education programs over a short period of time. In this quasi-experimental study, 112 nurses in ICUs were recruited by researchers and participated in the PADIS education programs. The PADIS education intervention was performed in a teaching hospital in Taipei. A demographic and self-developed PADIS care knowledge questionnaire was used. A baseline (T1) was measured before the interventions, followed by post-test (T2) immediately after the programs, and subsequently a follow-up (T3) test one month later. The results indicated that knowledge and skill scores between novice and advanced nurses varied significantly in T1 but not in T2 and T3. Thus, education programs can significantly assist novice ICU nurses to improve their short-term knowledge, attitudes, and skills, and PADIS education programs are strongly suggested for clinical nursing practice.

(In)tratável / (Un)tractable / (In)tractable

Em destaque, põe-se uma série de afetos e estranhezas. Coloca-se em relevo um conteúdo da ordem do sentir, do humano; traz-se à tona o que todos temos em comum, o fato de sermos corpos. Corpos que vibram e se reposicionam frente ao desconhecido. Deste modo, o objetivo é identificar quais as afetações que compõem o corpo dentro de uma Unidade de Terapia Intensiva Adulta de um hospital de ensino do interior do Estado do Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil. Trata-se então, de uma pesquisa qualitativa cartográfica, tendo como procedimento metodológico registros de diário de campo em consonância com o referencial teórico sobre o tema. Os resultados destacam as afetações do corpo em questão, caracterizando-se como um lócus latente, uma produção de movimentos em busca de tornar visível o que os olhos insistem em não ver.

Highlighted is a series of affections and strangeness. The content of the order of feeling, of the human, is emphasized; It brings out what we all have in common, the fact that we are bodies. Bodies that vibrate and reposition themselves against the unknown. Thus, the objective is to identify which affectations that make up the body within an Adult Intensive Care Unit of a teaching hospital in the state of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. Therefore, this is a qualitative cartographic research, having as methodological procedure field diary records in line with the theoretical framework on the subject. The results highlight the affects of the body in question, being characterized as a latent locus, a production of movements seeking to make visible what the eyes insist on not seeing.

Destaca una serie de afectos y extrañezas. Se enfatiza el contenido del orden de los sentimientos, del humano; Resalta lo que todos tenemos en común, el hecho de que somos cuerpos. Cuerpos que vibran y se recolocan contra lo desconocido. Por lo tanto, el objetivo es identificar qué afectaciones conforman el cuerpo dentro de una Unidad de Cuidados Intensivos para Adultos de un hospital universitario en el estado de Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil. Por lo tanto, esta es una investigación cartográfica cualitativa, que tiene como procedimiento metodológico registros de diario de campo en línea con el marco teórico sobre el tema. Los resultados resaltan los efectos del cuerpo en cuestión, caracterizándose como un lugar latente, una producción de movimientos que buscan hacer visible lo que los ojos insisten en no ver.

Reflexões sobre o trabalho da psicologia na UTI / Reflection on the psychology work in the ICT

Uma internação em Unidade de Terapia Intensiva é um evento potencialmente traumático na vida de um sujeito e de uma família. Pensar em estratégias e tecnologias que minimizam danos, é parte integrante do trabalho. Neste cenário, a Política Nacional de Humanização apresenta-se com o propósito de contribuir para a melhoria da qualidade da atenção e da gestão do Sistema Único de Saúde. Objetivo: refletir sobre as práticas da Psicologia em uma Unidade de Terapia Intensiva adulto, relacionando-as com as propostas da Política Nacional de Humanização. Método: Trata-se de um relato de experiência que dialoga com os autores da Saúde Coletiva. Foram relatadas experiências profissionais registradas em um diário de campo de julho de 2014 a julho de 2015 e a partir desses relatos, foram realizadas reflexões acerca das propostas da Clínica Ampliada, da Ambiência e da Visita Aberta no hospital. A análise da experiência profissional mostrou que o trabalho multiprofissional realizado no Hospital Universitário da Grande Dourados busca compreender o ser humano e o adoecimento de forma ampliada. Há boas práticas já consagradas na rotina do setor, como por exemplo o espaço para o diálogo entre as equipes, usuários e familiares.

An inpatient intensive care unit is a potentially traumatic event in the life of a subject and a family. Thinking about strategies and technologies that minimize harm is an integral part of the work. In this scenario, the National Humanization Policy is presented with the purpose of contributing to the improvement of the quality of care and management of the Unified Health System. Objective: to reflect on the practices of Psychology in an Adult Intensive Care Unit, With the proposals of the National Humanization Policy. Method: This is an experience report that dialogues with the authors of Collective Health. Professional experiences recorded in a field diary from July 2014 to July 2015 were reported and from these reports, reflections were made on the proposals of the Expanded Clinic, the Ambience and the Open Visit at the hospital. The analysis of professional experience showed that the multiprofessional work carried out at the University Hospital of Grande Dourados seeks to understand human beings and sickness in an extended way. There are good practices already established in the routine of the sector, such as the space for dialogue between teams, users and family.

Impact of an International Nosocomial Infection Control Consortium multidimensional approach on catheter-associated urinary tract infections in adult intensive care units in the Philippines: International Nosocomial Infection Control Consortium (INICC) findings.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the impact of a multidimensional infection control approach on the reduction of catheter-associated urinary tract infection (CAUTI) rates in adult intensive care units (AICUs) in two hospitals in the Philippines that are members of the International Nosocomial Infection Control Consortium. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a before-after prospective active surveillance study to determine the rates of CAUTI in 3183 patients hospitalized in 4 ICUS over 14,426 bed-days. The study was divided into baseline and intervention periods. During baseline, surveillance was performed using the definitions of the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the National Healthcare Safety Network (CDC/NHSN). During intervention, we implemented a multidimensional approach that included: (1) a bundle of infection control interventions, (2) education, (3) surveillance of CAUTI rates, (4) feedback on CAUTI rates, (5) process surveillance and (6) performance feedback. We used random effects Poisson regression to account for the clustering of CAUTI rates across time. RESULTS: We recorded 8720 urinary catheter (UC)-days: 819 at baseline and 7901 during intervention. The rate of CAUTI was 11.0 per 1000 UC-days at baseline and was decreased by 76% to 2.66 per 1000 UC-days during intervention [rate ratio [RR], 0.24; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.11-0.53; P-value, 0.0001]. CONCLUSIONS: Our multidimensional approach was associated with a significant reduction in the CAUTI rates in the ICU setting of a limited-resource country.

Resistência antimicrobiana em microrganismos isolados do trato respiratório de pacientes internados em unidade de terapia intensiva / Antimicrobial resistance in microorganisms isolated from respiratory tract of patients admitted in intensive therapy unit

Introdução: a resistência aos antimicrobianos é um problema de saúde pública de amplo significado, sendo considerado de alcance mundial. Objetivo: determinar o perfil dos microrganismos causadores de pneumonia e a sensibilidade aos fármacos antimicrobianos, em Unidade de Terapia Intensiva adulto de um Hospital Geral da Cidade de Concórdia - SC. Método: estudo descritivo, observacional, com delineamento transversal, realizado por meio de um levantamento dos dados de solicitação de exames ao Laboratório de Microbiologia. A coleta de dados foi retrospectiva no período de janeiro a setembro de 2009. Resultados: os resultados demonstraram a prevalência de cocos gram-positivos, especialmente Staphylococcus aureus, como causa das infecções respiratórias nos pacientes da UTI avaliada. Os agentes antimicrobianos mais utilizados foram a ceftriaxona e sultamicilina. Foi verificada uma alta incidência de microrganismos resistentes a um ou mais dos fármacos testados, principalmente nos pacientes nas faixas etárias a partir dos 51 anos. A ocorrência de resistência foi verificada para um grande número de fármacos com atividade antimicrobiana, principalmente gentamicina, ciprofloxacino e cloranfenicol. Conclusão: os dados indicam a ocorrência de um número variado de isolados microbianos em trato respiratório dos pacientes de UTI adulto, muitos apresentando resistência a um ou mais dos fármacos comumente empregados, evidenciando necessidade do diagnóstico adequado e a dificuldade no tratamento dos pacientes neste ambiente hospitalar.

Introduction: antimicrobial resistance is a public health issue of broad significance and is considered a global importance. The study evaluated its occurrence in an Adult Intensive Care Unit, a sector with high consumption of antimicrobial drugs. Objective: the objective was to determine the profile of microorganisms that cause pneumonia and sensitivity to antimicrobial drugs, in a General Hospital in the City of Concordia - SC. Methods: the study was descriptive, observational, and transversal, through a data collection test requests to the Microbiology Laboratory. The data were collected from January to September/2009. Results: results showed the prevalence of gram-positive cocci, especially Staphylococcus aureus, as cause of the evaluated respiratory infections in this Adult Intensive Care Unit. The antimicrobial agents most commonly used were ceftriaxone and sultamicillin. It was observed a high incidence of organisms resistant to one or more of the drugs tested, in particular with patients from the age of 51 years. The occurrence of resistance was observed for a large number of drugs with antimicrobial activity, mainly gentamicin, ciprofloxacin and chloramphenicol. Conclusions: the data indicate the occurrence of a variable number of microbial isolates in respiratory tract of adult ICU patients, many of them exhibiting resistance to one or more of the commonly used drugs. This highlights the need for proper diagnosis and the difficulty in treating patients in the nosocomial environment.