A point prevalence survey of hospital-acquired infections and antimicrobial use in a paediatric hospital in north-western Russia

SummaryWe carried out a one-day prevalence survey of hospital-acquired infections (HAIs) and antimicrobial use in February 2006 in a paediatric hospital in Arkhangelsk, north-western Russia. A total 472 patients aged less than 18 years old were included in the study, of which 395 (84%) had been inpatients in the hospital for at least 48 h on the study day. The overall prevalence of HAI amongst the latter group of patients was 17% [67/395; 95% confidence interval (CI): 13.8–21.2] with upper respiratory tract infections being most frequently diagnosed (45%), followed by lower respiratory tract infections (19%) and urinary tract infections (12%). The highest proportion of HAI was found in patients less than one year old and in those with hospital stays of longer than 10 days. Antimicrobial agents were given to 39% of all hospitalized patients (183/472; 95% CI: 34.5–43.2). Cephalosporins accounted for 39% (82/211) of all antimicrobial prescriptions, followed by the penicillins (22%; 46/211). This study established a baseline for surveillance of HAI and antimicrobial use within the hospital, and facilitated the adoption of targeted infection control measures.