PREVALENCE, RISK FACTORS, OUTCOMES & MANAGEMENT OF NOSOCOMIAL INFECTIONS IN INTENSIVE CARE UNITS OF PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SECTOR HOSPITALS OF LAHORE, PAKISTAN

*Varda Zaffar, Yusra Anwar, Eesha Sajid, Sehar Ilyas and Dr. Bushra Ali Sherazi

ABSTRACT

Objective: The main objective of this study was to evaluate the prevalence, risk factors, outcomes, management of nosocomial infections in intensive care units of both the public and private health sector hospitals of Lahore, Pakistan. Material & Method: An observational study was conducted on 100 subjects in duration of two months. Data collection form was designed and filled for analyzing prevalence, risk factors, outcomes and management of nosocomial infection in intensive care units. The forms were evaluated and analyzed the data was calculated in %ages and the results were shown in the form of graphs depicting comparison between the two mentioned sectors. Results: The age of majority of the patients lied within a range of 41-50 years. The prevalence of nosocomial infection was more in public sector than private. The most susceptible population for acquiring nosocomial infection were either immune compromised patients or children/aged people. The major outcomes of nosocomial infection was found to be increased length of hospital stay and as a result increase in treatment cost. In both the private and public sectors, the guidelines for nosocomial infection prevention and management existed but there was no surveillance program in both the sectors. Unfortunately, there was no monitoring of nosocomial infection in both the sectors. Conclusion: From the study it was concluded that nosocomial infection in intensive care units is prevalent in both the sectors, the risk factors affect the patient’s health and financial conditions, but there is no monitoring program for its prevention in majority of the hospitals while the guidelines exist for its management.

Keywords: nosocomial infection, prevalence, susceptible, prevention.