Factors influencing the occurence of nosocomial bloodstream infections observed in thoracic and cardiosurgical postoperative care units

The aim of this study was to analyse the epidemiology and aetiology of laboratoryconfirmed bloodstream infections (LC-BSI) and central line-associated bloodstream infections (CLABSI) after pulmonary and coronary surgery, in postoperative intensive care units in 2009.Sources of infections were identified by the hospital Infection Control Team in cooperation with ITU personnel using the CDC definitions.A total of 37 LC-BSI and 21 CLA-BSI cases in 3.096 patients were detected. Central line device utilization ratio was 0.50. The total cumulative LC-BSI incidence rate was 1.2% and CLA-BSI rate 8.7 per 1,000 central line days. The most common causes of LC-BSI were Gram-positive cocci (Staphylococcus aureus - 5.9%, CNS - 50.0%, Enterococcus faecium - 5.9%).We found that in those units in which surveillance of CLA-BSI had been conducted since 2002, BSI incidence rates were higher than those reported in the NHSN programme.