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Hospital-Acquired Infections in Intensive Care Units Pose Significant Mortality Risk

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

Researchers have published a study revealing the alarming prevalence and severity of hospital-acquired infections (HAI) in intensive care units (ICUs), highlighting the need for immediate attention to prevent and control the spread of these infections. The study, conducted in a tertiary care hospital in Eastern India, found that critically ill patients are particularly vulnerable to HAI, which can lead to high mortality rates. The investigation uncovered that four types of infections - catheter-related bloodstream infections (CRBSI), ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP), catheter-related urinary tract infections (CAUTI), and surgical site infections (SSI) - are the most common causes of mortality among ICU patients.

Key Takeaways:

  • The study aimed to characterize the bacteriological and antibiotic resistance profiles of HAI and their outcomes in the ICU of a tertiary care hospital in Eastern India.
  • A total of 169 patients were included in the study, of which 65 patients (38%) acquired an HAI in the ICU.
  • Thirteen patients were diagnosed with multiple types of infections, with 72 device-related infections reported, making up 42% of the total patients.
  • The most isolated organism in the ICU setup was Kurthia spp. (35%), followed by Enterobacteriaceae (22%).
  • Ninety-two percent of the Kurthia spp. were resistant to Carbapenem, and 30% were Vancomycin-Resistant (VRE).
  • The highest mortality was found associated with VAP (73%), followed by CRBSI (52%), SSI (40%), and CAUTI (31%) in the ICU setting.
  • The findings of this study are of great clinical importance and will help in preventing and controlling the spread of HAIs in the ICU.

Statistics:

  • 169 patients were included in the study for a period of three months.
  • 65 patients (38%) acquired an HAI in the ICU.
  • 72 device-related infections were reported, making up 42% of the total patients.
  • Kurthia spp. was the most isolated organism in the ICU setup, found in 35% of cases.
  • 92% of the Kurthia spp. were resistant to Carbapenem.
  • 30% of the Kurthia spp. were Vancomycin-Resistant (VRE).
  • The highest mortality rate was 73% for VAP.

Sources:

  • Hospital acquired infections in Intensive Care Unit: A study on incidence, antibiotic resistance profile and outcome of the patients in a tertiary care unit in Eastern India. AIMS Microbiology, 2025;11(3):588-601.
  • NewsRx. Findings on Microbiology Reported by Researchers at Department of Microbiology (Hospital acquired infections in Intensive Care Unit: A study on incidence, antibiotic resistance profile and outcome of the patients in a tertiary care unit in ...). Medical Devices & Surgical Technology Week. November 2, 2025; p 526.

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