The Trend of Device-Associated Hospital Acquired Infections in an Adult Intensive Care Unit of a Tertiary Care Hospital: A Need to Revamp Preventive Strategies

Background: Device-associated infections (DAIs) like ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP), central-line-associated blood stream infections (CLABSI), and catheter-related urinary tract Infection (CAUTI) constitute predominant healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) in intensive care units (ICUs). Objectives: The study aims to elucidate their trends in an adult ICU. Methods: Over 21 months, monthly VAP, CLABSI, and CAUTI rate, and device utilization ratios were calculated in an adult ICU of a tertiary care hospital as part of routine surveillance activity. All cases of VAP, CLABSI, and CAUTI during these 21 months were included. In addition, monthly hand hygiene compliance rates were assessed during the latter period of the study by direct observation method. Results: Nosocomial DAI rate was 49.38 DAI/1000 ICU days. CAUTI, CLABSI, and VAP rates were 17.38, 26.85, 21.08 per 1000 device days, and device utilization ratios were 0.99, 0.61, and 0.02, respectively. Conclusion: The institute had high DAI rates in comparison to other studies from the same city. The declining trend of CAUTI rates roughly coincided with surveillance for hand hygiene compliance in ICU. Thus, it establishes baseline data and underscores the need for focused HIC to maximize patient outcomes.