Predictors of healthcare associated infections in heart surgery

Abstract

The objective of this study was to determine the incidence of patients with healthcare associated infections, the topographic location of those infections in the heart surgery postoperative period, and identify the risk factors associated with the occurrence of those infections. This retrospective study was performed with 460 heart surgery patients of a teaching hospital in Minas Gerais state. The data were collected from the hospital infection report forms and patients’ records. The incidence of patients with healthcare associated infections was 24.3% and respiratory tract infection had the highest rates (20.6%). Intubation time, permanence time of central venous catheter and indwelling urinary catheter were independent predictors. The findings point at the need to implement protocols for the care and maintenance of these invasive devices with the purpose of preventing and controlling healthcare associated infection in heart surgery.

Descriptors: Cross Infection; Cardiac Surgical Procedures; Perioperative Nursing.