Abstract:
A cross–sectional analytic study of 305 intubated patients admitted in Trat
Hospital was conducted from June to December 2003 in order to determine the
incidence of nosocomial pneumonia (NP) and risk factors. Studied patients were
interviewed by using questionnaires and case records were collected. Secretion
specimens from patients with nosocomial pneumonia were collected for bacterial
culture. Data from interviews and records between patients with and without
nosocomial pneumonia were analyzed to identify risk factors for nosocomial
pneumonia.
The results revealed that the incidence of nosocomial pneumonia was
38.36%. Secretion specimens from 117 patients with nosocomial pneumonia were
cultured and showed 35.04% positive for bacterial growth. Among the bacterial
cultures, Klebsiella pneumoniae and Klebsiella spp. was found in the highest
percentage (32.00%), followed by Acintobacter anitratus and Acintobacter spp.
(24.00%), and Methicillin resistant Stapylococcus aureus (6.00%). The risk factors
for nosocomial pneumonia among studied patients by univariate analysis were
(a) age more than 60 years (OR = 9.16, p < 0.0001); (b) wards as ICU (OR = 1.65,
p = 0.042); (c) social support as 30 baht gold card (OR = 2.38, p = 0.001);
(d) conscious levels as coma (OR = 12.24, p < 0.0001); (e) underlying diseases as
chronic pulmonary disease (OR = 5.28, p < 0.0001); or tuberculosis (OR = 14.27,
p < 0.0001); (f) smoking (OR = 7.12, p < 0.0001); and (g) duration of intubating
more than 5 days (OR = 8.78, p < 0.0001). After controlling the confounders by
using multivariate analysis, the significant risk factors were (a) age more than
60 years (OR = 9.98, p < 0.0001); (b) conscious levels as semi coma and coma
(OR = 9.43, p = 0.031); (c) duration of intubating more than 5 days (OR = 18.88,
p < 0.0001); (d) underlying diseases as chronic pulmonary disease (OR = 5.21,
p < 0.0001); or tuberculosis (OR = 11.44, p = 0.003); and (e) smoking (OR = 3.60,
p < 0.0001). From these results, it is recommended that an appropriate intervention
program should be developed for reducing the risk of nosocomial pneumonia.