Learning Objective #1: Describe the impact of immune depression on the risk developing nosocomial infections

Learning Objective #2: Differentiate between trauma and non-trauma critical care patients in relation to risk factors for developing nosocomial infection

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Background: Early identification of the risk factors associated with the development of nosocomial infections (NI) is key to the prevention and control of these infections in critically ill trauma patients. To date, little attention has been paid to the impact of trauma-induced humoral and cell-mediated immune depression on the risk of developing NI. Purpose: The purposes of this study are to: (1) examine the effect of immune depression on the risk of developing NI among critically ill patients, and (2) examine whether immune depression differs between trauma and non-trauma patients. Research Questions: 1) After adjusting for other known risk factors, what is the effect of immune depression on the risk of developing NI among critically ill patients? 2) Are the risk factors for developing NI different between trauma and non-trauma patients? Methods: A prospective non-experimental cohort design was conducted on 212 critical care patients in the intensive care unit of a community hospital. Patients were followed until they: (a) developed NI or, (b) were discharged from the intensive care unit without infection. Data Analysis: Data analysis procedures are in progress and they include basic descriptive statistics, univariate analysis (chi square and t-tests). Hierarchical multivariate logistic regression analyses will be used to examine the research questions. Implications: The findings of this study are expected to facilitate new directions for the early recognition of “high-risk” individuals which may lead to decreased hospital length of stay, decreased costs, improved health outcomes, and decreased mortality. Further, this study will provide information that can be used by critical care practitioners to develop clinical standards for the prevention and control of risk factors associated with NI.