This study aimed to understand the magnitude and characteristics of infectious diseases among patients admitted to the internal medicine ward of a Portuguese hospital over one month. A total of 25 out of 73 patients admitted during the study period had infectious diseases, representing 41 infectious episodes. The most common infections were urinary tract infections (44%) and pneumonia (29%). The majority (83%) of cultures grew pathogens, most commonly E. coli (21%), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (11%), and fungi (11%). Infections increased patient mortality by 10% and length of stay by 3.5 days compared to other patients. Pressure ulcers accounted for 12% of infections and were all hospital-acquired. Empiric antibiotic therapy was ineffective in

1. ID: 0453
INFECTIOUS DISEASES IN A WARD OF INTERNAL MEDICINE: A
Title:
PROSPECTIVE STUDY
J. Rodriguez-Vera, J. Estevens, L. Arez, E. Ferrão, T. Taveira, M.J.
Authors:
Grade, I. Duarte, R. Tomé
Institution: Department of Internal Medicine. Sector I. Hospital do Barlavento Algarvio
City/Country: Portimão.Portugal. EU
Categories: Infectious Diseases
Presentation: Oral
Abstract: Introduction
Infectious diseases are common in our Department, data about their
importance not being currently avalaible.
Objective
To know the magnitude and characteristics of the infectious diseases
attended in our ward of Internal Medicine.
Material and method
Inclusion criteria: patients admitted to Sector I of Internal Medicine of our
Hospital with the diagnosis of infectious disease or developed an infection
during their stay on September of 2003. Demographical parameters,
average stay, comorbidity, external risk factors, location and
microorganisms responsible of the infections and therapeutics prescribed
were studied.
Results
25 of the 73 patients admitted during the period of study fulfilled the
inclusion criteria, with a total of 41 infectious episodes. The average age
was 73,91 years and the predominant gender was female. The average
stay was 13,08 days (global average stay of the sector 9,5 days). 20% of
the patients died during the study (global mortality of the sector 10,9%).
The most common comorbidities were starving (28%), neoplasm (20%)
and pressure ulcers (20%).
The most common external risk factor was peripheral venous cannulation,
followed by closed urinary sistem.
The most common location was urine (44,18%), 22,2% of them being
nosocomial, followed by pulmonary (29%). The least common were
pressure ulcers (12,1%), their totality being nosocomial.
83,73% of cultures were positive, 21,9% to Escherichia coli, 11,6% to
Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and 11,6% to fungi.
We used antibiotics according the sensibilities registered on the

2. antibiogram in 17 cases and empirically in 24, the most used antibiotics in
the lattest being Amoxicilin/Clavulanic Acid, Ceftriaxone and Ciprofloxacin.
We needed to shift the therapeutics according the antibiogram in 11 cases
(45,83%)
Conclusions
1. The infectious diseases are responsible for an increase of mortality and
average stay in our ward.
2. The presure ulcers are the main cause of nosocomial infections.
3. The empiric antibiotherapy was not effective in 45,83%, probably
related to an increase of the resistance to antibiotics and the need for
more agressive therapeutic approaches.
Dear colleague:
It is a pleasure for the Evaluation Committee to let you know that your abstract ´ INFECTIOUS DISEASES IN
A WARD OF INTERNAL MEDICINE: A PROSPECTIVE STUDY ¡ has been accepted to be presented
in the 27th World Congress of Internal Medicine that will be held in Granada in September 26th to October 1st as
an orally presentation.
You will expose your abstract on Monday, September 27th at 14,30-16,30 p.m. in the Room Machado .
Please, formalize your registration form and send it to the Organizing Secretariat as soon as possible. The
deadline is June 15th and the registration fee for member are 540€ and no members 600€.
Yours sincerely,
Blas Gil Extremera
President
27th World Congress of Internal Medicine