Author/Authors :
Celen, Mustafa K. Dicle University Hospital - Departments of Infection Disease, Turkey , Tamam, Yusuf Dicle University Hospital - Neurology, Turkey , Hosoglu, Salih Dicle University Hospital - Departments of Infection Disease, Turkey , Ayaz, Celal Dicle University Hospital - Departments of Infection Disease, Turkey , Geyik, Mehmet F. Dicle University Hospital - Departments of Infection Disease, Turkey , Apak, Ismail Dicle University Hospital - Neurology, Turkey
Abstract :
Objective: To determine the relationship between nurseworkload and multiresistant bacteria colonization orinfection (MRB+) in a neurology intensive care unit(ICU).Methods: We studied the relationship between nurseworkload and MRB+ development in patients who werehospitalized in Dicle University Neurology DepartmentICU, Turkey during a 6-month period from November15, 2003 to April 15, 2004. The intensity of workload andprocedures applied to the patients were scored with theProject de Recherché en Nursing (PRN) and the Omegascores.Results: Of 138 patients followed, 71 (51.4%) were femaleand 67 (48.6%) were male. The mean age of females was65.6±6.7 years, and of males was 62.2±15.8 years. Themean time of hospitalization in the ICU was 13±7.6 days.In 26 (18.8%) cultures taken from patients, multiresistant bacteria (MRB) were demonstrated. The development ofMRB+ infection was correlated with length of stay (LOS),Omega 2, Omega 3, Total Omega, daily PRN, and total PRN(p 0.05). There was no correlation between developmentof MRB+ infection with gender, age, APACHE-II andOmega 1 scores (p 0.05). In the PRN system, when theworkload of nurses was compared, it was seen that in theMRB colonized patient group, the workload of nurseswas meaningfully higher than the MRB patient (-) group(p 0.001).Conclusion: As a result, the risk of MRB+ development inthe ICU is directly proportional to understaffing, increasednurse workload, LOS, and procedures applied to patients.In management of nosocomial infection, it is crucialto increase the number of nurses in the ICU, and thus,decrease the workload.
