Healthcare Associated Infection in Maternity Hospital, Arar, Saudi Arabia

Abstract

Introduction: Healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) are used as an accurate indicator of the quality of health care. It increases the morbidity and mortality rates, prolongs the duration of hospital stay, increases economic burden, and should be prevented where possible.

Aim of the study:  to identify the Healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) rates, define how many and what kind of HAIs, the causative organism, and to identify the risk factors associated with HAIs.

Method: A nested case -control study included women hospitalized for more than 48 hours at obstetrics and gynecology wards in the maternity and pediatrics hospital.

Results: Overall prevalence rate of HAIs was (7.8%) and the overall incidence rate of HAI was 12.5 per 1000 patient days. S. aureus was the most frequent isolated pathogen (26.3%) followed by E. coli (21.6%). Urinary tract infection was the most common type (49.3%) followed by wound and soft tissue infections (30.4%). Women who were stayed in hospital more than 7 days(OR = 2.9), exposed toindwelling urinary catheter (OR = 2.2) and peripheral IV catheter (OR = 1.9), aged 35 years or above (OR =1.9), underwent to surgical operation (OR =1.6), or diabetic (OR =1.9) wereat high risk of HAIs.

Conclusion: Healthcare-associated infections are a frequent complication in women hospitalized in maternity hospital. They are related to duration of hospital stay and invasive procedures, which requires intensified monitor and implementation of various effective prevention policies   to reduce the occurrence of HAIs.