Epidemiology of infections in a Burn Unit, Albania

Background: Many types of nosocomial infections (NIs) can be present in the burned patient. The purpose of this study is to calculate the rates for NI in the Intensive Care Unit of the Service of Burns and Plastic Surgery in University Hospital Centre (UHC) in Tirana, Albania. Method: The study is prospective, clinical and analytical. The study is continued/longitudinal because monitors all patients with severe burns during a specified time period (1 year). For data analysis was used SPSS 19.0. Results: The infection prevalence rate was 12 infected patients per 100 patients. The colonisation prevalence rate was 43 colonised patients for 100 patients. The most frequent infection microorganisms were Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus (67% and 24%). Incidence of BSI was 3 BSI for 1000 hospitalization days. Incidence of catheter-related bloodstream infection (CRBSI) was 11.7 BSI for 1000 catheter days. Colonisation of the tip of the central catheter (CTC) was 15.6 for 1000 catheter days. Conclusions: The epidemiology of burn wound infections as well as the definitions have changed due to important changes in burn wound treatment but further studies should be done documented the factors that can reduce the burn wound infection rates. (C) 2013 Elsevier Ltd and ISBI. All rights reserved.