Nosocomial infections in neonatal intensive care unit of a public healthcare facility in Saudi Arabia

Abstract

Minimising the risks of nosocomial infections in neonatal intensive care units is an important aspect in reducing mortality rates and length of admissions. The purpose of this study was to investigate the continued occurrence of nosocomial infections in neonatal intensive care unit of a Public Healthcare facility in Saudi Arabia. The study used quantitative descriptive, cross-sectional designs and retrospective data analysis. Data collection was conducted using a self-designed checklist. The sample comprised of 138 clinical records of neonates who developed nosocomial infections during the period of 1 st October 2017 to 30th September 2019. Data was analysed using IBM SPSS version 26. The results of the study showed that gestational age of less than 33+6weeks, lower birth weight less than 1000g, neonatal resuscitation, presence of central catheters, ventilators, total parenteral nutrition and delayed initiation of feeds were risk factors for occurrence of nosocomial infections. Most infections, 59.3% occurred at less than 14 days of life. The most common site of infection was blood at 79.7% and the most prevalent organisms were Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus at 22.5% respectively. Some of the recommendations from the study are that healthcare workers should take extra precautions in collecting blood samples, ensure proper hand hygiene and have external practitioners observe hand hygiene practices in NICU.