Antisepsia en el sondaje urinario y en el mantenimiento de la sonda vesical / Antiseptic urinary catheterization and maintenance of the bladder catheter

La infección del tracto urinario asociada al catéter es muy común tanto en el entorno hospitalario comunitario como en el de agudos, especialmente en el ámbito de cuidados intensivos. Para minimizar este problema es esencial realizar un abordaje correcto desde la inserción del catéter urinario hasta la extracción del mismo y aplicar siempre medidas antisépticas adecuadas. Hay demasiada información sobre las medidas antisépticas sin resultados consistentes. Este artículo tiene como objetivo revisar la evidencia científica existente sobre el tema y hacer recomendaciones basadas en la evidencia, a fin de optimizar los resultados. Todo el proceso se complementa con algunas consideraciones para lograr un manejo adecuado del catéter urinario del paciente

Catheter-related urinary tract infections are very common both in the community and in the acute hospital care setting, particularly in the critical care environment. In order to minimize this problem, it is essential to adopt a correct approach from insertion to withdrawal of the urinary catheter, and always perform proper antisepsis. There is too much information on antisepsis measures with no consistent results. The present article reviews the existing scientific evidence on the subject and establishes recommendations based on the evidence, in order to optimize outcomes. The entire process is complemented with considerations on how to secure proper management of the indwelling urinary catheter

Antiseptic urinary catheterization and maintenance of the bladder catheter. / Antisepsia en el sondaje urinario y en el mantenimiento de la sonda vesical.

Catheter-related urinary tract infections are very common both in the community and in the acute hospital care setting, particularly in the critical care environment. In order to minimize this problem, it is essential to adopt a correct approach from insertion to withdrawal of the urinary catheter, and always perform proper antisepsis. There is too much information on antisepsis measures with no consistent results. The present article reviews the existing scientific evidence on the subject and establishes recommendations based on the evidence, in order to optimize outcomes. The entire process is complemented with considerations on how to secure proper management of the indwelling urinary catheter. This article is part of a supplement entitled "Antisepsis in the critical patient", which is sponsored by Becton Dickinson.

Multirresistencia antibiótica en unidades de críticos / Antibiotic multiresistance in critical care units

La presencia de microorganismos con resistencia adquirida a múltiples antibióticos complica el manejo y la evolución de los pacientes críticos. El intensivista, en su actividad diaria, se enfrenta a este problema desde la responsabilidad de la prevención y control y desde el reto de prescribir el tratamiento antibiótico apropiado ante una posible infección. Se realiza una revisión de la bibliografía en lo concerniente a definición, conceptos importantes relacionados con la transmisión, recomendaciones sobre medidas generales de control en las unidades y opciones de tratamiento. Además se presentan datos epidemiológicos sobre la situación en nuestro país obtenidos, fundamentalmente, a través del ENVIN-UCI. El abordaje de la multirresistencia antibiótica requiere formación adecuada, trabajo en equipo con otros profesionales y conocimiento de la epidemiología local (AU)

The presence of microorganisms with acquired resistance to multiple antibiotics complicates the management and outcome of critically ill patients. The intensivist, in his/her daily activity, is responsible for the prevention and control of the multiresistance and the challenge of prescribing the appropriate treatment in case of an infection by these microorganisms. We have reviewed the literature regarding the definition, important concepts related to transmission, recommendations on general measures of control in the units and treatment options. We also present data on the situation in our country known primarily through the ENVIN-UCI register. Addressing the multiresistance not only requires training but also teamwork with other specialists and adaptation to the local environment (AU)

[Antibiotic multiresistance in critical care units]. / Multirresistencia antibiótica en unidades de críticos.

The presence of microorganisms with acquired resistance to multiple antibiotics complicates the management and outcome of critically ill patients. The intensivist, in his/her daily activity, is responsible for the prevention and control of the multiresistance and the challenge of prescribing the appropriate treatment in case of an infection by these microorganisms. We have reviewed the literature regarding the definition, important concepts related to transmission, recommendations on general measures of control in the units and treatment options. We also present data on the situation in our country known primarily through the ENVIN-UCI register. Addressing the multiresistance not only requires training but also teamwork with other specialists and adaptation to the local environment.

Higiene de las manos: evidencia científica y sentido común / Hand hygiene: scientific evidence and common sense

El lavado de las manos se ha considerado con razón una medida de higiene personal durante siglos. Actualmente se dispone de suficiente evidencia científica que demuestra que esta medida sencilla y barata puede ayudar a reducir las infecciones de forma clínica y sanitariamente significativa. A pesar de ello, los estudios publicados muestran que la higiene de las manos se realiza sólo entre un 15 y un 50% de las veces en las que debería llevarse a cabo. Con objeto de apoyar a los diferentes países en el establecimiento de prioridades para hacer frente a las infecciones relacionadas con la atención sanitaria, la Organización Mundial de la Salud ha desarrollado una campaña destinada a mejorar el cumplimiento la higiene de las manos. Para ello son elementos clave la formación del personal, el cambio de sus hábitos, su motivación y la accesibilidad a los productos en los puntos de atención a los pacientes. A nivel institucional es necesario que los gestores sanitarios se posicionen de forma manifiesta, situando la higiene de las manos como uno de los objetivos de calidad de la institución (AU)

Hand washing was rightly considered a measure of personal hygiene for centuries. Today there is enough scientific evidence showing that a simple and inexpensive measure can help significantly reduce clinical infections. In spite of this, published studies show that hand hygiene only takes place between 15% and 50% of the instances in which it should be done. In order to support countries in setting priorities to deal with infections related to health care, the World Health Organization has developed a campaign to improve compliance with hand hygiene. Fundamental elements of the campaign include staff training, change of habits, motivating health professionals, and enabling access to effective products at the point of patient care. At institutional level, healthcare managers need to make a firm commitment, and make hand hygiene one of the quality assurance objectives of their organisations (AU)

[New therapeutic options for the treatment of multiresistant bacteria in the ICU]. / Nuevas opciones terapéuticas para el tratamiento de las bacterias multirresistentes en Unidades de Cuidados Intensivos.

The number of new antimicrobial drugs in the health care clinical practice has decreased gradually and significantly in the last 15 years. At the same time, there has been an increase in the appearance of microorganisms with resistance to conventional antibiotics, above all in intensive care units (ICU). Within this group, Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MSRA) and methicillin-resistant coagulase- negative staphylococci, vancomycin-resistant enterococci, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Acinetobacter baumanii resistant to carbapenemics and extended-spectrum betalactamase-producing (ESBL) Enterobacteria are the most important. These pathogens are frequently also resistant to other groups of antibiotics such as aminoglycosides, fluoroquinolones and macrolides. New recently introduced antimicrobial agents are available to combat these resistances. These are active mainly against gram positive bacteria resistant strains and in a more timely way against gram negative ones or both. Among the first group, the following stand out: daptomycin (a lipopeptide bactericide for parenteral use) and linezolid (oxazolidinone with bacteriostatic activity for parenteral and oral use). On its part, ertapenem (a carbapenem parenteral bactericide) and tigecyclin (a parenteral bacteriostatic tetracycline) are active against ESBL enterobacteria, the latter also being active against non-fermented gram positives and gram negatives, except for P. aeruginosa. Possibly, the introduction of these new compounds and other futures ones pending introduction will not only improve antimicrobial diversification but also serve to limit the spreading of these microorganisms.

[Use of antibiotics for the treatment of multiresistant gram positive cocci infections in critical patients]. / Utilización de antibióticos en el tratamiento de infecciones por cocos grampositivos multirresistentes en pacientes críticos.

INTRODUCTION: This study has been designed to know the use of these antibiotics (ATB) in Intensive Care Units (ICUs). DESIGN AND PATIENTS: A multicentric, prospective, observational study was conducted. In cluded as cases were the indications of vancomycin (VAN), teicoplanin (TPN), quinupristin/dalfopristin (Q/D) and linezolid (LZD). RESULTS: A total of 826 indications (VAN 52.1%, TPN 36.6%, LZD 11.6% and Q/D 0%) were analyzed, 793 (96%) as treatment and 33 (4%) as prophylaxis in 818 patients. Serious sepsis or septic should occurred in 55.9% of the patients treated. The most common infections were pneumonia and catheter-related bacteremia, 48.3% of all the infections being acquired in ICUs. LZD was used mostly in mechanical-ventilation related pneumonia (p = 0.001), VAN in community Central Nervous System infections (p = 0.01) and in catheter-related bacteremia (p = 0.001), TPN in community pneumonia (p = 0.01) and in catheter-related bacteremia (p = 0.001). Treatments were empirical in 65.8% and diagnosis of gram positive cocci was confirmed in 48.3% of them. Staphylococcus aureus was isolated more in the LZD-treated group. Initial treatment was modified 224 times, this occurring more frequently in the VAN-treated group. The reason for this change was clinical failure 59 times, this being more frequent in the TPN group and less frequent in the patients treated with LZD, which was the drug used the most in rescue therapies (43/69, 62.3%). Adverse events, probably related to the ATB, were identified in 36/826 (4.4%) cases. CONCLUSIONS: The most common use of this ATB was to treat ICU-acquired infections. VAN was the most frequently used drug. Treatments with LZD were modified less frequently for clinical failure and this drug was the one most used in rescue therapies. This information indicates an appropriate use of these ATB in an important percentage of critically patients.

Nuevas opciones terapéuticas para el tratamiento de las bacterias multirresistentes en Unidades de Cuidados Intensivos / New therapeutic options for the treatment of multiresistant bacteria in the ICU

El número de nuevos antimicrobianos en la clínica asistencialha descendido de forma gradual y significativa enlos últimos 15 años. Paralelamente se ha producido un incrementoen la aparición de microorganismos con resistenciaa los antibióticos convencionales, sobre todo en las Unidadesde Cuidados Intensivos (UCI). Dentro de este grupo, laresistencia a la meticilina de Staphylococcus aureus (SARM) yde estafilococos coagulasa negativos resistentes a la meticilina,enterococos resistentes a la vancomicina, Pseudomonasaeruginosa y Acinetobacter baumannii resistentes a carbapenémicosy Enterobacterias productoras de betalactamasasde espectro extendido (BLEE) son las más destacables. Estospatógenos con frecuencia son además resistentes a otrosgrupos de antibióticos, como aminoglucósidos, fluorquinolonasy macrólidos. Para hacer frente a estas resistenciasdisponemos de nuevos antimicrobianos de reciente introducción.Éstos son activos principalmente frente a cepas resistentesde bacterias grampositivas, y de manera más puntualfrente a gramnegativos o a ambos. Entre los primerosdestacan: daptomicina (lipopéptido bactericida de uso parenteral)y linezolid (oxazolidinona bacteriostática de usoparenteral y oral). Por su parte, el ertapenem (carbapenembactericida parenteral) y la tigeciclina (tetraciclina bacteriostáticaparenteral) son activos frente a enterobacterias BLEE,siendo esta última además activa frente a grampositivos ygramnegativos no fermentadores, excepto P. aeruginosa. Posiblementela introducción de estos nuevos compuestos yotros futuros pendientes salir, aparte de mejorar la diversificaciónantimicrobiana, sirva para limitar la dispersión de estosmicroorganismos (AU)

The number of new antimicrobial drugs in the healthcare clinical practice has decreased gradually and significantlyin the last 15 years. At the same time, there hasbeen an increase in the appearance of microorganisms withresistance to conventional antibiotics, above all in intensivecare units (ICU). Within this group, Methicillin-resistantStaphylococcus aureus (MSRA) and methicillin-resistant coagulase-negative staphylococci, vancomycin-resistant enterococci,Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Acinetobacter baumaniiresistant to carbapenemics and extended-spectrumß-lactamase-producing (ESBL) Enterobacteria are themost important. These pathogens are frequently also resistantto other groups of antibiotics such as aminoglycosides,fluoroquinolones and macrolides. New recentlyintroduced antimicrobial agents are available to combatthese resistances. These are active mainly against grampositive bacteria resistant strains and in a more timelyway against gram negative ones or both. Among the firstgroup, the following stand out: daptomycin (a lipopeptidebactericide for parenteral use) and linezolid (oxazolidinonewith bacteriostatic activity for parenteral andoral use). On its part, ertapenem (a carbapenem parenteralbactericide) and tigecyclin (a parenteral bacteriostatictetracycline) are active against ESBL enterobacteria, thelatter also being active against non-fermented gram positivesand gram negatives, except for P. aeruginosa.Possibly, the introduction of these new compounds andother futures ones pending introduction will not onlyimprove antimicrobial diversification but also serve tolimit the spreading of these microorganisms (AU)

Utilización de antibióticos en el tratamiento de infecciones por cocos grampositivos multirresistentes en pacientes críticos / Use of antibiotics for the treatment of multiresistant gram positive cocci infections in critical patients

Introducción. Este estudio se ha diseñado paraconocer el uso de antibióticos (ATB) específicosfrente a cocos grampositivos multirresistentes enCuidados Intensivos.Diseño y pacientes. Estudio observacional, prospectivo y multicéntrico. Se incluyeron como casos las indicaciones de vancomicina (VAN), teicoplanina (TPN), quimipristina/dalfopristina (Q/D) y linezolid (LZD).Resultados. Se analizaron 826 indicaciones (VAN 52,1%; TPN 36,6%; LZD 11,6% y Q/D 0%), 793 (96%) como tratamiento y 33 (4%) como profilaxis en 818 pacientes. El 55,9% de las infecciones se presentaron con sepsis grave o shock séptico. Las más frecuentes fueron neumonías y bacteriemias relacionadas con catéter, y el48,3% fueron adquiridas en la Unidad de Cuidados Intensivos (UCI). LZD fue más utilizado en neumonías relacionadas con ventilación mecánica (p = 0,001), VAN en infecciones del sistema nervioso central (p = 0,01) y en bacteriemias relacionadas con catéter (p = 0,001) y TPN en neumonías comunitarias (p = 0,01) y en bacteriemias relacionadas con catéter (p = 0,001). El 65,8% de los tratamientos fueron empíricos. Staphylo cocus aureus resistente a meticilina fue el más aisladoen el grupo de pacientes tratados con LZD.El tratamiento inicial se modificó en 224 ocasiones,circunstancia más frecuente en tratados con VAN. El motivo de esta modificación fue por fracaso clínico en 59 ocasiones, siendo más frecuente en el grupo tratado con TPN y menos en el tratado con LZD, que además fue el fármaco más utilizado en los tratamientos de rescate(43/69, 62,3%). Se han identificado efectos adversosprobablemente relacionados con los ATB en 36/826 (4,4%) casos.Conclusiones. Las indicaciones más frecuentesfueron para tratar infecciones adquiridas en laUCI. VAN fue el fármaco más utilizado. El tratamientocon LZD se modificó en menos ocasiones por fracaso clínico y fue el más empleado como tratamiento de rescate. El conjunto de la información muestra un empleo adecuado de estos ATB en un importante porcentaje de pacientes críticos

Introduction. This study has been designed toknow the use of these antibiotics (ATB) in Intensive Care Units (ICUs).Design and patients. A multicentric, prospective,observational study was conducted. Included as cases were the indications of vancomycin(VAN), teicoplanin (TPN), quinupristin/dalfopristin (Q/D) and linezolid (LZD).Results. A total of 826 indications (VAN 52.1%,TPN 36.6%, LZD 11.6% and Q/D 0%) were analyzed,793 (96%) as treatment and 33 (4%) as prophylaxis in 818 patients. Serious sepsis or septic should occurred in 55.9% of the patients treated.The most common infections were pneumonia and catheter- related bacteremia, 48.3% of all the infections being acquired in ICUs. LZD was used mostly in mechanical-ventilation related pneumonia (p = 0.001), VAN in community Central Nervous System infections (p = 0.01) and in catheter-related bacteremia (p = 0.001), TPN in community pneumonia (p = 0.01) and in catheter-related bacteremia (p = 0.001). Treatments were empirical in65.8% and diagnosis of gram positive cocci wasconfirmed in 48.3% of them. Staphylococcus aureuswas isolated more in the LZD-treated group.Initial treatment was modified 224 times, this occurringmore frequently in the VAN-treated group.The reason for this change was clinical failure 59times, this being more frequent in the TPN groupand less frequent in the patients treated with LZD,which was the drug used the most in rescue therapies(43/69, 62.3%). Adverse events, probably relatedto the ATB, were identified in 36/826 (4.4%)cases.Conclusions. The most common use of this ATBwas to treat ICU-acquired infections. VAN was themost frequently used drug. Treatments with LZDwere modified less frequently for clinical failureand this drug was the one most used in rescuetherapies. This information indicates an appropriateuse of these ATB in an important percentageof critically patients

[Hand hygiene: scientific evidence and common sense]. / Higiene de las manos: evidencia científica y sentido común.

Hand washing was rightly considered a measure of personal hygiene for centuries. Today there is enough scientific evidence showing that a simple and inexpensive measure can help significantly reduce clinical infections. In spite of this, published studies show that hand hygiene only takes place between 15% and 50% of the instances in which it should be done. In order to support countries in setting priorities to deal with infections related to health care, the World Health Organization has developed a campaign to improve compliance with hand hygiene. Fundamental elements of the campaign include staff training, change of habits, motivating health professionals, and enabling access to effective products at the point of patient care. At institutional level, healthcare managers need to make a firm commitment, and make hand hygiene one of the quality assurance objectives of their organisations.

[Total prosthetic knee and hip joint infection. Descriptive epidemiology, therapeutics and evolution in a secondary hospital during ten years]. / Infección de prótesis total de rodilla y cadera. Epidemiología descriptiva, terapéutica y evolución en un hospital de segundo nivel durante 10 años.

OBJECTIVE: Epidemiological description, retrospective in its classification, evolution and therapeutics of total prosthesis knee and hip infected among the arthoplasties made between 1st of January 1994 and 31st of December 2003 in our hospital. RESULTS: The global infection rate was 2.4% (confidence interval of 95% [CI 95%], 1.6%-3.2%) over 40 cases in 1,666 joint implants. The average age +/- standard deviation (SD) was 69.5 years old +/- 5.1 years, mainly in women (67.5%). The most common location was the knee, 31 cases (77.5%). In 90.0% of the patients the aetiology was identified: 64,0% were gram-positive cocci (plasmacoagulase-negative staphylococci, and Staphylococcus aureus); 14.0% were gram-negative bacilli and mixed flora (11.0%). Acute infections were found in most of the cases (45,0%). The joint replacement had a healing rate of 66.7% in the first replacement and of 83.3% in the second replacement. CONCLUSIONS: The gram-positive cocci are the main microorganisms in these infections. More extensive studies about multiple aspects are necessary to evaluate the effectiveness of the different surgical techniques, the new antibiotics and the combined antibiotic therapies.

Infección de prótesis total de rodilla y cadera. Epidemiología descriptiva, terapéutica y evolución en un hospital de segundo nivel durante 10 años / Total prosthetic knee and hip joint infection. Descriptive epidemiology, therapeutics and evolution in a secondary hospital during ten years

Objetivo: Descripción epidemiológica retrospectiva en su clasificación,evolución y terapéuticas de las prótesis totales de cadera y rodilla infectadas entre las artroplastias realizadas desde el 1 de enero de 1994 al 31 de diciembre del 2003 en nuestro hospital. Resultados: La tasa de infección global de artroplastias fue 2,4% (intervalo de confianza del 95% [IC 95%], 1,6% -3,2%) sobre 40 casos de 1666 implantes articulares. La media de edad ± desviación estándar (DE) fue de 69,5 ± 5,1 años, en su mayoría mujeres (67,5%). La localización más frecuente fue rodilla, 31 casos (77,5%). En un 90,0% de los enfermos se filió la etiología, siendo un 64,0% cocos grampositivos (Staphylococcus plasmocoagulasa negativos y S. aureus), un 13,0% bacilos gramnegativos y flora mixta (11,0%). Predominaron las infecciones agudas (45,0%). El recambio articular en un tiempo tuvo una curación del 66,7% frente a un 83,3% en recambio en 2 tiempos. Conclusiones: Los cocos gram positivos son los principales microrganismos en estas infecciones. Son necesarios estudios amplios multicéntricos para valorar la eficacia de las distintas técnicas quirúrgicas, los nuevos antibióticos y las terapias antibióticas combinadas

Objective: Epidemiological description, retrospective in its classification, evolution and therapeutics of total prosthesis knee and hip infected among the arthoplasties made between 1st of January 1994 and 31st of December 2003 in our hospital. Results: The global infection rate was 2.4% (confidence interval of 95% [CI 95%], 1.6%-3.2%) over 40 cases in 1,666 joint implants. The average age +/- standard deviation (SD) was 69.5 years old +/- 5.1 years, mainly in women (67.5%). The most common location was the knee, 31 cases (77.5%). In 90.0% of the patients the aetiology was identified: 64,0% were gram-positive cocci (plasmacoagulase-negative staphylococci, and Staphylococcus aureus); 14.0% were gram-negative bacilli and mixed flora (11.0%). Acute infections were found in most of the cases (45,0%). The joint replacement had a healing rate of 66.7% in the first replacement and of 83.3% in the second replacement. Conclusions: The gram-positive cocci are the main microorganisms in these infections. More extensive studies about multiple aspects are necessary to evaluate the effectiveness of the different surgical techniques, the new antibiotics and the combined antibiotic therapies

[Nosocomial infection by multiresistant pathogens during one year in a secondary hospital: clinical an epidemiological analysis]. / Infección nosocomial por gérmenes multirresistentes durante 1 año en un hospital de segundo nivel: análisis clínico y microbiológico.

BACKGROUND: Currently growing medical and social significance of nosocomial infection by multiresistant pathogens (NIMP) prompted us to establish its incidence, nosology, presenting forms in admission areas, and mortality in a secondary hospital, Lleida (Spain). METHOD: For that purpose, we analyzed the first year experience of a unit for the control of nosocomial infection (NI) created in our hospital. From January to December 2000, 79 patients with a NIMP admitted to the University Hospital Arnau de Vilanova entered in this prospective, descriptive study. RESULTS: The overall annual incidence of NIMP was 4.0 per 103 patients admitted. Acinetobacter baumannii showed the highest individual rate of incidence, particularly, at the Intensive Care Unit (15.4 per 103 patients admitted; p < 0.001). By nosologies, infection prevailed over colonization (69.6% vs 30.4%; p < 0.001). Mean hospital stay length increased in colonized patients (38.9 days). Finally, overall mortality was high (29.1%); again, A. baumannii was the agent most frequently detected in death cases (66.6%; p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Surveillance and control measures are required for the prevention of NIMP. Incidence studies how this, can be useful to create a database to establish the distribution and occurrence of NI, including the detection of multiresistant pathogen outbreaks.

Infección nosocomial por gérmenes multirresistentes durante 1 año en un hospital de segundo nivel: análisis clínico y microbiológico / Nosocomial infection by multiresistant pathogens during one year in a secondary hospital: clinical and epidemiological analysis

Fundamento: Dada la gran relevancia actual, médica y social, de la infección nosocomial por gérmenes multirresistentes (INGM), se pretendió determinar su incidencia, nosología, formas de presentación en las áreas de ingreso y mortalidad en un hospital de 2º nivel en Lleida (España). Método: Se utilizó la experiencia de una unidad para el control de la Infección Nosocomial (IN), en su primer año de funcionamiento en este hospital. Por medio de la unidad, se practicó un estudio descriptivo prospectivo sobre todos los pacientes ingresados, en el Hospital Universitario Arnau de Vilanova, entre enero y diciembre de 2000 en los que se detectó una INGM. Resultados: En total fueron 79 pacientes los que presentaron una INGM. La tasa de incidencia global anual de INGM fue de 4,0 por 103 pacientes ingresados. A. baumannii fue el germen que obtuvo la tasa de incidencia individual más elevada, y en especial en la Unidad de Cuidados Intensivos (15,4 por 103 pacientes ingresados; p < 0,001). Por nosologías,la infección predominó sobre la colonización (69,6 frente 30,4%; p < 0,001). En general, se observó una estancia media más prolongada en los pacientes colonizados 38,9 días. Por último, la mortalidad total fue elevada (29,1%), destacando de nuevo A. baumannii, como el agente más frecuentemente detectado en los pacientes que fallecieron (66,6%; p < 0,001). Conclusiones: En la prevención de la INGM son necesarias medidas de vigilancia y control. Los estudios de incidencia como éste, pueden ser útiles a la hora de establecer una base de datos con la que observar la distribución y ocurrencia de la IN, incluyendo la detección de brotes epidémicos por gérmenes multirresistentes

Background: Currently growing medical and social significance of nosocomial infection by multiresistant pathogens (NIMP) prompted us to establish its incidence, nosology, presenting forms in admission areas, and mortality in a secondary hospital, Lleida (Spain). Method: For that purpose, we analyzed the first year experience of a unit for the control of nosocomial infection (NI) created in our hospital. From January to December 2000, 79 patients with a NIMP admitted to the University Hospital Arnau de Vilanova entered in this prospective, descriptive study. Results: The overall annual incidence of NIMP was 4.0 per 103 patients admitted. Acinetobacter baumannii showed the highest individual rate of incidence, particularly, at the Intensive Care Unit (15.4 per 103 patients admitted; p < 0.001). By nosologies, infection prevailed over colonization (69.6% vs 30.4%; p < 0.001). Mean hospital stay length increased in colonized patients (38.9 days). Finally, overall mortality was high (29.1%); again, A. baumannii was the agent most frequently detected in death cases (66.6%; p < 0.001). Conclusions: Surveillance and control measures are required for the prevention of NIMP. Incidence studies how this, can be useful to create adatabase to establish the distribution and occurrence of NI, including the detection of multiresistant pathogen outbreaks

[Recommendations for the treatment of severe in-hospital pneumonia. Spanish Society of Critical, Coronary, and Intensive Medicine. Spanish Society for Respiratory Tract Pathology. Spanish Society of Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology]. / Recomendaciones para el tratamiento de la neumonía intrahospitalaria grave. Sociedad Española de Medicina Intensiva, Critica y Coronarias. Sociedad Española de Patología del Aparato Respiratorio. Sociedad Española de Enfermedades Infecciosas y Microbiología Clínica.

INTRODUCTION: Given the sanitary repercussion of serious intrahospital pneumonia (SIP), representatives of three scientific societies (SEMICYUC; SEPAR and SEIMC) have developed during 2002 and 2003 a practical guide for its treatment. METHOD: A task force was constituted to value five clinical situations related with the treatment of SIP: 1) critical revision of the existent guidelines and groups of risk definition; 2) entry criteria in ICU for SIP; 3) SIP treatment in function of the groups of risk; 4) special situations in SIP treatment, and 5) control treatment. After the bibliographical revision drafts were developed and discussed until the elaboration of the final document. RESULTS: It is necessary the stratification of the patients according to the presence or not of risk factors in order to make an appropriate use of treatments. SIP without risk factors can be treated with monotherapy with several antibiotics. SIP with risk factors specifies therapy combined with betalactamic plus aminoglycoside. Its substitution for a quinolon is a topic debate. Infections for multiresistance microorganisms require an individualized approach that can end up including the use of topical antibiotics. In SIP without microorganism isolation the use of a score system can be of utility in the taking of decisions. Revision of the therapeutic rule after 72 hours, carrying out the necessary adjustments according to the clinical evolution and microbiological results is necessary in all cases. CONCLUSIONS: Scientific evidence in the treatment of SIP allows the development of different strategies to achieve a higher efficiency both in antibiotic handling and in the control of its evolution.

Recomendaciones para el tratamiento de la neumonía intrahospitalaria grave / Recommendations for the treatment of severe nosocomial pneumonia

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Prevención del síndrome respiratorio agudo grave en la unidad de cuidados intensivos / Prevention of severe respiratory syndrome in the intensive care unit

No disponible