Prevalence and Impacts of Nosocomial Infection in Thailand 2001
Somwang Danchaivijitr MD*, Chertsak Dhiraputra MD**, Somporn Santiprasitkul MSc***, Tepnimitr Judaeng MNS***
Affiliation : *Department of Medicine, **Department of Microbiology, ***Center for Nosocomial Infection Control, Faculty of Medicine, Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok
Objectives : To study the prevalence and impacts of nosocomial infection (N.I.) in Thailand.
Materials and Methods : A point prevalence study on N.I. was carried out in 42 hospitals across Thailand in
March 2001. The impacts of N.I. were done in the same hospitals by matched control groups in a period
prevalence study March 12-25, 2001.
Results : The point prevalence rate of N.I. in 42 hospitals involving 18,456 patients across Thailand in March
2001 was 6.4%. The prevalence was higher in male than female patients(7.8% vs 5.0%). The prevalence rates
of over 10% were found in 4 hospitals. The infection rate was highest in surgical followed in rank by medical,
pediatric and orthopedic departments (9.1%, 7.6%, 6.1% and 5.8%) respectively. The commonest site of the
infection was the lower respiratory tract, followed by urinary tract, surgical site and skin and soft tissue
(34.1%, 21.5%, 15.0% and 10.5%). Gram-negative bacteria were isolated in 75.7% and gram-postive 18.4%.
Penicillins, cephalosporins, aminoglycosides were the most used antimicrobials (31.2%, 25.2%, 12.3%). A
period prevalence study on 53,882 patients during a 2 week period in March 2001 showed an infection rate
of 2.5%. By matched control group study, an episode of N.I. was associated with 10.1 to 12.5 extra hospital
days. The cost of antimicrobials for treatment of an episode of N.I. was 5919.50 baht (148 U.S. dollars).
Thirteen point eight per cent of patients with N.I. died, 6.7% directly due to N.I.
Conclusion : Nosocomial infection is common in hospitalized patients in Thailand and is associated high
mortality rate and economic burden.
Keywords : Nosocomial Infection, Prevalence, Impact, Thailand
