Prospective study analyzing risk factors and characteristics of healthcare-associated infections in a Urology ward.

Purpose: Healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) in urological patients have special features due to specific risk factors. Our objective was to evaluate the characteristics and risk factors for HAIs in patients hospitalized in a Urology ward.

Materials And Methods: We evaluated prospectively, from 2012 to 2015, the incidence, types and risk factor for HAIs, microbiological and resistance patterns.

Results: The incidence of HAIs was 6.3%. The most common types were urinary infections (70.5%) and surgical site infections (22.1%). Univariate analysis showed an increased risk of HAIs among patients with American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status classification system III-IV (odds ratio [OR], 1.39; p<0.001), immunosuppression (OR, 1.80; p=0.013), previous urinary infection (OR, 4.46; p<0,001), and urinary catheter before admission (OR, 1.74; p<0.001). The surgical procedures with the highest incidence of HAIs were radical cystectomy (54.2%) and renal surgery (8.7%). The most frequently isolated microorganisms were (25.1%), spp. (17.5%), spp. (13.5%) and (12.3%). was the most common microorganism after radical cystectomy and in surgical site infections, showed resistance rates of 53.5% for fluoroquinolones, 9.3% for amikacin. The percentage of extended-spectrum betalactamase producing was 24.7%. spp. showed resistance rates of 47.8% for fluoroquinolones, 7.1% for amikacin and 4.3% for carbapenems. spp showed resistance rates of 1.7% for vancomycin and; of 33.3% for carbapenems and 26.2% for amikacin.

Conclusions: Comorbidities, previous urinary infections, and urinary catheter are risk factors for HAIs. The microorganisms most commonly isolated were , and . Prospective monitoring may decrease the incidence of infections.