PREVALENCE OF HEALTHCARE- ASSOCIATED INFECTIONS AND ANTIBIOTIC USE AT THE LEVEL OF A GENERAL HOSPITAL

ABSTRACT

Introduction. Healthcare-associated infections (HAI) represent a significant public health problem due to increased morbidity, mortality, length of hospital stay, and treatment costs. In addition, irrational use of antibiotics contributes to the development of antimicrobial resistance, which represents one of the greatest challenges of modern medicine. The aim of this study was to determine the risks for the development of IHI, the prevalence of intrahospital infections in the "Sveti apostol Luka" Hospital in Doboj, as well as to analyze the most common types of infections, the causes of the use of antimicrobial drugs.

Material and methods. A point prevalence study was conducted according to the unified protocol of the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC PPS version 6.1).

Results. The study included 306 hospitalized patients from all 17 hospital departments. Data were collected on patients’ demographic characteristics, risk factors, invasive procedures, types of infections, and antibiotic use. The prevalence of healthcare- associated infections was 3.2%, while 57.2% of hospitalized patients were receiving antibiotics. The highest prevalence of HAI was recorded in neurology and intensive care units. The most commonly used antibiotics were third-generation cephalosporins, extended-spectrum penicillins, and fluoroquinolones. Prolonged surgical prophylaxis was recorded in 90% of patients.

Conclusions. The results indicate the need to improve surveillance of healthcare-associated infections, more rational use of antibiotics, and strengthening of infection control programs.