Nosocomial Infections in Departments of Neurology and Neurosurgery: Risk Factors Analysis of 175 Cases

OBJECTIVE To discuss the risk factors for nosocomial infection in departments of neurology and neurosurgery. METHODS Retrospective survey and prospective study were made for 1 796 inpatients in departments of neurology and neurosurgery from 2000 to 2001. RESULTS A total of 175 cases of nosocomial infection were found among 1 796 inpatients (the percentage was 9.74%). The main risk factors for nosocomial infection are related to the extent of disease seveity, age, medical invasive operation and unreasonable antibiotic therapy. The infection was located mostly in respiratory and urinary tracts. The etiological examination revealed that the major pathogens of nosocomial infection were Gram positive cocci (30.00%), fungi (6.31%) and Gram negative bacilli (60.36%) in neurosurgery. CONCLUSIONS The important methods to reduce nosocomial infection rate in departments of neurology and neurosurgery are to take all round reinforced measures.