Qom University of Medical Sciences Journal

Backgroundand Objectives:Nosocomialinfectionsare knownas an important public health problem worldwide, which impose a significantburdenonpatientsand health care systemandcauseserious complications and problems.The present study aimed to determine the rate of nosocomial infections in patients hospitalized in Nekoei-Hedayati Hospital of Qom city.

Methods: This cross-sectional studywas carried out on12668patients hospitalized in wards of the Nekoei Hospitalof Qomin a one-year period from April 2012 to March 2013. Data were collectedbased on the NationalNosocomial Infections Surveillance System (NNIS)questionnaireto diagnosemainnosocomial infections(respiratory, urinary, blood,surgical site, and burn). The significance level was considered as p<0.05.

Results:In the present study,of total 12668patientsadmittedduring months of year 2012, 97 patients (mean prevalence,0.76%) were diagnosed withnosocomial infections.Thehighest rates of infection respectively belonged to the surgical site infection (53.9%) and respiratory infection (35%). The lowest rate of infection were reported for urinary tract infection (6%), burn infection(5.1%), and blood infection (with no reported cases). The highest rate of infection was related to ICU with incidence of 6.56% (42 cases) and burn unit5.64% (17 cases).

Conclusion: Considering that more than half of cases of nosocomial infections in inpatients is allocated to surgical site infection, therefore compliance with nosocomial infection control guidelines and use of invasive therapeutic procedures, only if necessary, along with health education could be helpful in the prevention of such infections.