[Risk of bacteremia associated with intravascular devices stratified by birth weight in born of a public hospital of high complexity: follow-up to seven years]. / Riesgo de bacteriemia asociada a dispositivos intravasculares estratificados por peso de nacimiento en recién nacidos de un hospital público de alta complejidad: seguimiento de siete años.

INTRODUCTION: Bacteremia associated to vascular catheters is the most frequent nosocomial infection in Neonatal Intensive Care Units and increases cost and mortality. OBJECTIVE: To know the risk of bacteremia related to vascular devices in hospitalized newborns, stratified by birth weight. METHOD: A surveillance system was established considering birth weight and type of catheters in order to detect bacteremia and look for the risks associated to type of catheters and birth weight in the period 2005 to 2011, according to Chilean Ministry of Health's surveillance. RESULTS: We registered bacteremia associated to vascular devices in newborns considering birth weight between less than 1,000 g to more than 2,500 g from years 2005 and 2011. In the period, 4,704 patients were surveyed with 25,130 catheter days and 70 bacteremia were detected. The rates of bacteremia were 0.9 per 1,000 catheter days in peripheral catheters, 3.0 per 1000 catheter days in peripheral inserted central catheters and 9.6 per 1,000 catheter days in umbilical catheters (UC). On the other side the risk of bacteremia was 6.4% in newborns with birth weight less 1,000 g and 1.5% in newborns with birth weight over 2,500 g. Coagulase negative Staphylococcus was the most frequent isolate agents. CONCLUSIONS: The risk of developing bacteremia is associated with lower birth weight and the use of UC independent of weight.

Riesgo de bacteriemia asociada a dispositivos intravasculares estratificados por peso de nacimiento en recién nacidos de un hospital público de alta complejidad: seguimiento de siete años / Risk of bacteremia associated with intravascular devices stratified by birth weight in born of a public hospital of high complexity: follow-up to seven years

Introduction: Bacteremia associated to vascular catheters is the most frequent nosocomial infection in Neonatal Intensive Care Units and increases cost and mortality. Objective : To know the risk of bacteremia related to vascular devices in hospitalized newborns, stratified by birth weight. Method: A surveillance system was established considering birth weight and type of catheters in order to detect bacteremia and look for the risks associated to type of catheters and birth weight in the period 2005 to 2011, according to Chilean Ministry of Health’s surveillance. Results: We registered bacteremia associated to vascular devices in newborns considering birth weight between less than 1,000 g to more than 2,500 g from years 2005 and 2011. In the period, 4,704 patients were surveyed with 25,130 catheter days and 70 bacteremia were detected. The rates of bacteremia were 0.9 per 1,000 catheter days in peripheral catheters, 3.0 per 1000 catheter days in peripheral inserted central catheters and 9.6 per 1,000 catheter days in umbilical catheters (UC). On the other side the risk of bacteremia was 6.4% in newborns with birth weight less 1,000 g and 1.5% in newborns with birth weight over 2,500 g. Coagulase negative Staphylococcus was the most frequent isolate agents. Conclusions: The risk of developing bacteremia is associated with lower birth weight and the use of UC independent of weight.

Introducción: La bacteriemia asociada al uso de dispositivos intravasculares constituye la infección nosocomial más frecuente en las unidades de cuidado intensivo neonatal, asociándose a mayores costos y letalidad. Objetivo: Conocer el riesgo de bacteriemias relacionadas al uso de dispositivos intravasculares en recién nacidos hospitalizados, de acuerdo a su peso de nacimiento. Material y Métodos: Vigilancia epidemiológica de baeteriemia en neonatos con catéteres vasculares para asociarlos con los tipos de catéteres y el peso de nacimiento, durante el período 2005 a 2011, utilizando el sistema de vigilancia vigente en el país. Resultados: Se registraron las bacteriemias asociadas a dispositivos vasculares en neonatos considerando peso de nacimiento entre menos a 1.000 g a más de 2.500 g entre los años 2005 y 2011. Se vigilaron 4.704 pacientes con 25.130 días de uso de catéter y se detectaron 70 bacteriemias. La mayor utilización de la vía venosa fue por catéteres venosos periféricos. Las tasas de bacteriemias fueron de 0,9 por mil días catéter en venoso periférico, 3,0 en catéter central por vía percutánea y 9,6 en catéter umbilical (CU). El riesgo de bacteriemia fue de 6,4% en los neonatos de peso < 1.000 g y 1,5% en > 2.500 g. Staphylococcus coagulasa negativa fue el agente más frecuentemente aislado. Conclusiones: El riesgo de desarrollar bacteriemia se asoció a menor peso de nacimiento y a la utilización de CU en forma, independiente del peso.

[Impact of copper in the reduction of hospital-acquired infections, mortality and antimicrobial costs in the Adult Intensive Care Unit]. / Impacto del cobre en la reducción de infecciones intrahospitalarias, mortalidad y gasto en antimicrobianos en una Unidad de Cuidados Intensivo de adultos.

UNLABELLED: We conducted a clinical trial to determine the impact of coating surfaces with copper in reducing hospital-acquired infections, mortality associated with nosocomial infections and antimicrobial costs in the UCI. The study took place at Carlos Van Buren Hospital, Valparaíso, Chile. No differences in the frequency of nosocomial infections were found. Not in rates of ventilator-associated pneumonia (p = 0.9), nor in catheter- associated urinary tract infection (p = 0.9) or in central venous catheter associated bacteremia (p = 0.3). There were no differences in infection-free survival (p = 0.9). There were less costs of antimicrobials in patients in which copper was used. The fact that the sample size was not completed could explain that no significant differences in infections were found. CONCLUSION: The use of copper as a surface in the ICU showed no statistically significant differences in rates of nosocomial infections during the study period, however, these results could be related to the sample size.

Impacto del cobre en la reducción de infecciones intrahospitalarias, mortalidad y gasto en antimicrobianos en una Unidad de Cuidados Intensivo de adultos / Impact of copper in the reduction of hospital-acquired infections, mortality and antimicrobial costs in the Adult Intensive Care Unit

We conducted a clinical trial to determine the impact of coating surfaces with copper in reducing hospital-acquired infections, mortality associated with nosocomial infections and antimicrobial costs in the UCI. The study took place at Carlos Van Buren Hospital, Valparaíso, Chile. No differences in the frequency of nosocomial infections were found. Not in rates of ventilator-associated pneumonia (p = 0.9), nor in catheter- associated urinary tract infection (p = 0.9) or in central venous catheter associated bacteremia (p = 0.3). There were no differences in infection-free survival (p = 0.9). There were less costs of antimicrobials in patients in which copper was used. The fact that the sample size was not completed could explain that no significant differences in infections were found. Conclusion: The use of copper as a surface in the ICU showed no statistically significant differences in rates of nosocomial infections during the study period, however, these results could be related to the sample size.

Introducción: Las infecciones nosocomiales incrementan la mortalidad y costos en las instituciones de salud. El revestimiento con cobre, de superficies de alto contacto en la unidad clínica en torno a los pacientes, reduce la colonización bacteriana de las mismas. Objetivo: Determinar el impacto del revestimiento de las superficies con cobre en la disminución de las infecciones intrahospitalarias, la mortalidad asociada a las infecciones intrahospitalarias y los costos en antimicrobianos en pacientes hospitalizados en UCI adultos en el Hospital Carlos Van Buren. Pacientes y Métodos: Estudio prospectivo, comparativo, mayo de 2011-mayo de 2012. Asignación aleatoria de pacientes adultos ingresados en UCI, que permanecieran al menos por 24 h en dicha unidad, a unidades de aislamiento recubiertas (n: 7) o no recubiertas con cobre (n: 7). Resultados: Ingresaron al estudio 440 pacientes, 217 pacientes (49,3%) en el grupo sin cobre y 223 en el grupo con cobre (50,7%). No se encontraron diferencias en la frecuencia de infecciones intrahospitalarias en ambos grupos. Tampoco se encontraron diferencias significativas en las tasas de neumonía asociada a ventilación mecánica (p = 0,9), infección urinaria asociada a catéter urinario (p = 0,9) y bacteremias asociada a catéter venoso central (p = 0,3). Tampoco se encontraron diferencias en la sobrevida libre de infección (p = 0,9). Se encontró un gasto menor de antimicrobianos en pacientes atendidos en unidades revestidas con cobre. Durante el período del estudio no se completó el tamaño de muestra y las diferencias no significativas podrían deberse a este hecho. Conclusión: El uso del cobre como revestimiento de las superficies hospitalarias en UCI, mostró diferencia en la tasa de bacteriemia asociada a dispositivos venosos, aunque no significativa, y no mostró diferencia en neumonías e infecciones urinarias. Las diferencias no significativas pueden deberse a que no se completó el tamaño de la muestra. Se observó un mayor gasto de antimicrobianos en pacientes de unidades no cobrizadas, lo que plantea una nueva área de investigación.

Relevancia de la capacitación de profesionales en el control y prevención de infecciones asociadas a la atención en salud (IAAS) / Relevance of training professionals in the control and prevention of associated health care infections (HCAI)

Es necesario capacital personal de salud en control de prevención de infecciones hospitalarias para la conformación y funcionamiento adecuado de comisiones de control de infecciones y lograr disminuir las IAAS. Evaluación diagnóstica de la capacitación de profesionale durante dos años del proyecto CINELA (Combatiendo las Infecciones Nosocomiales en Latinoamerica) en Venezuela. CINELA, iniciado en 2009, persigue capacitar al trabajador de salud en prevención y control de IAAS. Consta de 40 horas académicas con conferencias. discusiones y talleres. Fue discutido y validado por profesionales latinoamericanos de control de infecciones; acreditado por la Universidad de Valparaíso, Chile y avalado por organizaciones internacionales y sociedades científicas. Estudio descriptivo, transversal de los registros del tipo de participante, institución del programa por los cursantes en Venezuela. Resultados mostrados en tablas y expresados en números absolutos y porcentajes. Participantes: 84; 54,8% de instituciones privadas; 34,5% públicas; 9,5% de ambas. Enfermeros 78,6%, 19% médicos, 7 (9,5%) involucrados en control de infecciones. Un tercio provenían de servicios médicos; 12% quirúrgicos; 9,5% unidades pediátricas. Más de 95% desconocía normativas de su centro y 100% negaron supervisión estructurada para control de IAAS; < 90% de profesionales de instituciones públicas y 60% de privados informó uso inadecuado de desinfectantes, métodos de esterilización o antisépticos. El 44% aprobó el curso. Existen carencias en el funcionamiento de las comisiones de control de infecciones en Venezuela; es importante la capacitación de los profesionales de salud en IAAS.

It is necessary to train health personnel in prevention and control of hospital infections for the establishment and operation of appropriate infection control committees. This approach will reduce Health-Associated Infections (HALs). Diagnostic evaluation of professional training during the first two years of the project CINELA (Fighiting nosocomial infections in Latin America) in Venezuela. CINELA, initiated in 2009, aims to train health workers in prevention and control of HAIs. It consists of 40 academic hours with lectures, discussions and workshops. It was discussed and validated by professional workers in infection control from Latin America, accredited by the University of Valparaiso, Chile and supported by international organizations and scientific societies. This is descriptive, cross-type study with revision of participant records, institutions represented, approval rating and evaluation of the program by the students in Venezuela. Results are shown in tables and expressed in absolute numbers and percentages.There were a total of 84 participants, 54.8% from private institutions, 34.5% public, 9.5% both. More than 78% were nurses, 19% medical doctors, 7 (9.5%) involved in infection control . One third of the participants worked in medical, 12% surgical, and 9.5% in pediatric units. Over 95% were unaware of their center regulations and 100% stated that structured supervision to control HAIs was not done; more than 90% of professionals from public, and 60% from private institutions reported improper use of disinfectants, antiseptics and sterilization methods. Forty four percent of students successfully completed the course. There are important gaps in the functioning of the infection control committees in Venezuela; training of health personnel is of utmost importance to prevent occurrence of HAIs.

What is the use? An international look at reuse of single-use medical devices.

Reuse of single-use devices is common in most countries worldwide. We provide an overview of the issue from an international perspective. In many developing and transitional countries reuse of cheap single-use devices (needles, syringes, surgical gloves) is common leading to large numbers of unsafe interventions, specifically injections and, as a consequence, infection with hepatitis B, C or HIV. There are various reasons for reuse: limited resources, insufficient knowledge of healthcare workers and the belief of patients that injection is more beneficial than oral medication. Reuse of cheap single-use devices should cease and both medical staff and the public should be informed about potential safety risks associated with injection. In developed countries, reuse of single-use items is less common but may include expensive technical products. Reuse is regulated in many countries (e.g. US, Canada, some European countries) demanding ethical and legal considerations, high standards of reprocessing and training of staff, risk assessment, management and validation of reprocessing. Well regulated reprocessing can decrease the number of single-use devices reprocessed. In developing as well as developed countries, a decision to reprocess single-use devices should only be made after a critical reflection of advantages and disadvantages.

Infección de herida operatoria en cirugía ortopédica y traumatología / Surgical wound infection in orthopedic and traumatologic surgery

Se analizan 6.895 pacientes sometidos a cirugía osteoarticular electiva y limpia en el Instituto Traumatológico de Santiago entre noviembre de 1981 y enero de 1986. La tasa global de infección fue de 1,5%. El comportamiento de este índice fue decreciente a lo largo del estudio, particularmente en los primeros 12 meses, como resultado de las medidas básicas de prevención y control. Se encontró un maior riesgo relativo en los pacientes mayores de 71 años y en aquéllos sometidos a intervenciones sobre el miembro inferior. Se aisló Staphylococcus aureus en 66,6% de los casos infectados en las que se efectuó cultivo. Se comparan los resultados con los de la literatura