HEALTHCARE-ASSOCIATED INFECTIONS AND THE DISTRIBUTION OF ESKAPE PATHOGENS IN MEDICAL INTENSIVE CARE UNITS OF A TERTIARY HOSPITAL

Abstract

Healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) pose a major challenge to patient safety, causing prolonged hospitalization and increased healthcare costs. This study reviewed medical records of patients admitted to three intensive care units of the Respiratory ICU, Internal Medicine ICU 2, and Internal Medicine ICU 7. The data collected between April and June 2025. A total of 159 patients were included, of whom 32 had positive cultures identified as community-acquired infections or colonization. Male and female proportions were equal. Most patients were aged 19-59 years (59.4%), followed by those aged 60 years and older (40.6%). Acinetobacter baumannii was the most common pathogen (31.3%). Eight patients developed HAIs. Most were female (62.5%), with equal age distribution, and the majority had comorbidities (87.5%). Ventilator-associated pneumonia was the most common HAI (62.5%), followed by catheter-associated urinary tract infection (25.0%) and central line-associated bloodstream infection (12.5%). All HAI patients were hospitalized for more than 7 days. Significant associations were found between HAIs and ICU stay longer than 7 days (p < .05), mechanical ventilation over 7 days (p = .005), and central venous catheterization over 7 days (p = .003), but not prolonged urinary catheterization (p = .110). These findings emphasize the need for infection surveillance and strict infection prevention and control measures to reduce HAIs and improve patient safety.

Keywords: Healthcare-Associated Infections, Intensive Care Unit, Infection Control