Article Text
Abstract
Introduction/Background*The purpose of this paper is to analyze data related to infections of patients suffering from gynecological malignancies, particularly after surgical procedures. Furthermore, we performed an economic analysis to provide an overview of HAIs-related costs.
Methodology We retrospectively collected data of the culture samples, collected in the microbiology laboratory, of patients recovered in the Oncological Gynecology Department of the Fondazione Policlinico ”Agostino Gemelli” IRCCS, from 1st January 2017 to 31th December 2018. The data concerned both ordinary and emergency hospitalizations. For each patient, we collected data on germs responsible of infection and on the site of the infection
Result(s)*323 gynecological cancer patients with HAIs were identified. 249 patients had undergone surgery in the previous 30 days and 74 were on chemotherapy treatment or in the follow-up phase. The most common HAIs were urinary infections (57.9%), surgical wound infections were present in 42.1%. 14.5% had central venous catheter infection and 21.7% of patients blood stream infections. The median length of stay for patients with post-operative infection or with an infective event during chemotherapy was 25 days. After discharge, 22% of patients were readmitted to the hospital due to new infection and were hospitalized for 22 days on average. The total cost that our hospital paid for the treatment of infected patients was 4.598391 $.
Conclusion*Bowel resection appears to be the procedure most associated with the development of HAIs. An important method of reducing the risk of infections is careful screening of patients and risk factors before admission.