Blood stream infection in an intensive care unit, a comparative study on the impact of infection control trained versus untrained nursing staff

Abstract

Background: Blood stream infection (BSI) is characterized by high morbidity and mortality between patients. Procalcitonin (PCT) is released by thyroid gland in response to such infection. Adherence to infection control is fundamental to decrease blood stream infection rates.

The aim: Observing role of infection control program on the prevalence of blood stream infection. Evaluating PCT as rapid marker for infection and sepsis.

Methods: Patients were divided into group one, 33 patients cared by 20 infection control trained nurses and group two of 33 patients cared by 20 non-trained nurses. Incidence of BSI was calculated in both groups by blood culture. Procalcitonin was evaluated as rapid marker diagnosing infection earlier than blood culture and differentiating between causative bacteria.

Results: Prevalence of BSI in group two was 51.5% vs 9.1% in group one. Procalcitonin highest levels were significantly associated with severity of infection and sepsis.

Conclusion: Prevalence of BSI was significantly higher among patients in group two; cared by infection control trained nurses. Procalcitonin can be used as a rapid diagnostic marker for BSI.

Recommendations: The study recommends application of frequent infection control training and using PCT as early diagnostic marker for blood stream infection.