Hospital Acquired Infection among Surgical Patients in a Selected Secondary Level Hospital

Introduction: Hospital-acquired infection is a major global issue for patient safety. Understanding the potential risk factors is important to appreciate the local context. At least 1.2 million people are affected globally by nosocomial infections at any time, the vast majority of these occurring in low-income countries. This study aimed to assess the prevalence and contributing factors of hospital-acquired infections among surgical patients in a selected secondary level hospital.

Methodology: A hospital-based cross-sectional study carried out in a selected secondary level hospital; from October 2019 to December 2019 among 137 respondents. The purposive sampling technique was followed to select the study participants; the interview was taken by using a pre-tested semi-structured questionnaire. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS program version 23. The level of significance was taken 95% and standard error 5%.

Results: Out of all the patients 83.2% were admitted to Out Patient Department and 16.8% to emergency. Among them, 0.7% of the respondents were found to develop hospital-acquired infection. About 44.5% having infection before admission and more than three visitors visit a patient per day 65.7%. The scanty number of patients had used blood transfusion, urinary catheter for their treatment. The provisional and final diagnosis was almost the same.

Conclusion: Hospital-acquired infections usually only receive public attention when there are epidemics. Although hidden from public attention, HAIs are a very real endemic and on-going problem. Maintaining a safe and hygienic work environment prevents the spread of HAIs.