Abstract

COSTA, Andreia et al. Degree of Dependence and Risk of Nosocomial Infection. Medicina Interna [online]. 2019, vol.26, n.3, pp.193-199. ISSN 0872-671X.  https://doi.org/10.24950/rspmi/O/231/18/3/2019.

Introduction: Incidence of nosocomial infections gradually increase over the age of 65. The primary objective of this paper was to assess the impact of the reduction or loss of autonomy of the elderly patients in the nosocomial infection acquisition. Material and Methods: Prospective analysis of hospitalized patients from March 2017 to February 2018 at the Department of Internal Medicine of Vila Real Hospital, with an evaluation of the dependence level through the Katz scale and nosocomial infection acquisition. Other variables were analyzed: compromised systems and risk factors in nosocomial infections, mean duration of hospitalization, mortality and readmission. Results: A total of 1311 patients were analyzed, with a mean age of 83.2. Of the patients’ sample, 33.6% were autonomous, 32.6% were partially dependent and 33.7% were totally dependent. Nosocomial infection was observed in 10.6% of patients. There was a statistically significant association between the dependence level and the nosocomial infections acquisition, as well as between the presence of nosocomial infection and mortality, and readmission after 30 days. The dependence level was also significantly associated with days of hospitalization, with mortality and with readmission. Discussion and Conclusion: This study revealed that nosocomial infection development was superior in patients with a greater dependence level as well as the mortality, which was also higher in this subgroup of patients. In this way, the loss of autonomy should be considered as a predisposing potential for acquisition of infection.

Keywords : Aged; Cross Infection; Personal Autonomy; Risk Factors.

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