Risk factors for urinary tract infections in geriatric hospitals.

BACKGROUND: Urinary tract infection (UTI) is the most frequent nosocomial infection in geriatric units. An understanding of risk factors for infection may help to identify prevention strategies. AIM: Identification of the risk factors for UTI in elderly patients. METHODS: Retrospective analysis of three prospective cohorts. All hospitalized patients present in, or admitted to, a geriatric unit from June 1st to June 28th, for the years 2009, 2012, and 2015 were included and followed until discharge or until June 30th of the year concerned. For each patient, type and dates of stay, type and dates of catheter, risk factors, and nosocomial UTI (NUTI) data were collected. Univariate and multivariate (Cox model) analyses were made using SPSS software. FINDINGS: A total of 4669 patients were included and were followed for a total of 83,068 days. There were 189 NUTIs (4.0% patients). NUTIs were significantly more frequent among female patients, in rehabilitation units, in immunosuppressed patients, among those with acute retention, post-void residual, history of urinary tract infection in the previous six months, and in case of dependency. NUTIs were significantly more frequent among those who had a catheter (Z-test, P < 0.001). NUTIs were more frequent among patients with intermittent, indwelling, or suprapubic catheters. They were also more frequent in acute/subacute care or rehabilitation units, in women, in immunosuppressed patients, and in those with a history of previous UTI; they were less frequent in dementia patients. CONCLUSION: The occurrence of NUTI is an important issue in both catheterized and non-catheterized patients; prevention programmes should be widened to include non-catheterized patients.

Controlling urinary tract infections associated with intermittent bladder catheterization in geriatric hospitals.

BACKGROUND: Controlling urinary tract infections (UTIs) associated with intermittent catheterization in geriatric patients. AIM: After a local epidemiological study identified high rates of UTI, a multi-disciplinary working group implemented and evaluated corrective measures. METHODS: In 2009, a one-month prospective study measured the incidence of UTI, controlled for risk factors and exposure, in six geriatric hospitals. In 2010, a self-administered questionnaire on practices was administered to physicians and nurses working in these geriatric units. In 2011, the working group developed a multi-modal programme to: improve understanding of micturition, measurement of bladder volume and indications for catheter drainage; limit available medical devices; and improve prescription and traceability procedures. Detailed training was provided to all personnel on all sites. The epidemiological study was repeated in 2012 to assess the impact of the programme. FINDINGS: Over 1500 patients were included in the 2009 study. The incidence of acquired infection was 4.8%. The infection rate was higher in patients with intermittent catheters than in patients with indwelling catheters (29.7 vs 9.9 UTI per 100 patients, P = 0.1013) which contradicts the literature. In 2010, the 269 responses to the questionnaire showed that staff did not consider catheterization to place patients at risk of infection, staff had poor knowledge of the recommended indications and techniques, and the equipment varied widely between units. Following implementation of the programme, the study was repeated in 2012 with over 1500 patients. The frequency of UTI in patients with intermittent catheters fell to rates in the published literature. CONCLUSION: Multi-modal programmes are an effective means to control UTI.

[Effectiveness of a cognitive-behavioral unit on behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia]. / Efficacité d'une unité cognitivo-comportementale sur les symptômes psychologiques et comportementaux des démences.

INTRODUCTION: Cognitive-behavioral units (CBUs) have been created in the context of the national Alzheimer plan 2008/2012 for the management of behavioral disorders of patients suffering from Alzheimer's disease or related diseases. The Alzheimer plan promotes the evaluation of these units through the observation of the evolution of behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD). The aim of this study was to assess the effects of the memory center of Lyon (hospices civils de Lyon) CBU on BPSD. PATIENTS: The neuropsychiatric inventory (NPI) was rated by the patients' caregiver (NPI-F) at admission to the CBU and 2 weeks after the discharge. The NPI was also rated by the nursing staff (NPI-NS) 3 days after admission in the CBU and at discharge. RESULTS: All patients admitted in the CBU between July and October 2001 were included in the study for a total of 28 patients. A significant reduction of NPI-F scores between admission (58.93 ± 24.8) and 2 weeks after the discharge (27.07 ± 19.70) (P<0.0001) was observed. Improvement was specifically observed for delusions, agitation, depression, anxiety, disinhibition and aberrant motor activity symptoms. No significant changes were found on NPI-NS scores. CONCLUSION: This study discloses benefits of CBUs in terms of BPSD reduction in patients 2 weeks after CBU discharge. These units have the potential to achieve their principal objective of reducing behavioral problems.