Prospective hospital-wide studies of 505 patients with nosocomial bacteraemia in 1997 and 2002

Summary We conducted surveys in 1997 and 2002 to determine the rate, underlying sources and outcome of nosocomial bacteraemia. Blood culture results were reviewed daily. All patients with positive cultures drawn ≥48 h after hospitalization were included in the study and their charts were reviewed. The underlying source of infection was determined by pre-defined clinical and/or microbiological criteria. Patients were followed until discharge or death. In 1997 and 2002, 851 and 857 patient-unique cases of bacteraemia were diagnosed, respectively, excluding contaminants; of these, 228 (27%) and 277 (32%) cases, respectively, were hospital acquired ( P P P P P P Staphylococcus aureus was the most frequent isolate (26%), followed by coagulase-negative Staphylococcus (13%) and Klebsiella pneumoniae (11%). By 2002, the incidence of S. aureus had fallen to 11% ( P P P In conclusion, prospective surveys of nosocomial bacteraemias provide valuable information, facilitating the pursuit of successful interventions.