Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the incidence, etiology, and antimicrobial resistance of healthcare-associated infections in a critical care unit in Western Qatar

• Published in: Qatar medical journal 2023, Vol.2023 (1), p.2-2
• Main Authors: Guanche Garcell, Humberto, Al-Ajmi, Jameela, Villanueva Arias, Ariadna, Abraham, Joji C, Felipe Garmendia, Angel M, Fernandez Hernandez, Tania M
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Research Paper
• ISSN: 0253-8253; 2227-0426
• DOI: 10.5339/qmj.2023.2

Healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) in critical patients affect the quality and safety of patient care and increase patient morbidity and mortality. During the COVID-19 pandemic, an increase in the incidence of HAIs, particularly device-associated infections (DAIs), was reported worldwide. In this study, we aimed to estimate the incidence of HAIs in an intensive care unit (ICU) during a 10-year period and compare HAI incidence during the preCOVID-19 and COVID-19 periods. A retrospective, observational study of HAIs in the medical-surgical ICU at The Cuban Hospital was conducted. DAIs included central line-associated bloodstream infections (CLABSI), catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTI), and ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP). Data included the annual incidence of HAIs, etiology, and antimicrobial resistance, using definitions provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, except for other respiratory tract infections (RTIs). 155 patients with HAI infections were reported, from which 130 (85.5%) were identified during the COVID-19 period. The frequencies of DAIs and non-DAIs were higher during the COVID-19 period, except for infections. Species under , , and dominated in both periods, and higher frequencies of , , , , , and were noted during COVID-19 period. Device utilization ratio increased to 10.7% for central lines and 12.9% for ventilators, while a reduction of 15% in urinary catheter utilization ratio was observed. DAI incidence was higher during the COVID-19 pandemic, with risks for CLABSI, VAP, and CAUTI increased by 2.79 (95% confidence interval, 0.93-11.21;