Does Age Change the Risks Leading to Bloodstream Infections in the Intensive Care Unit?

Objectives: A significant correlation exists between bloodstream infections (BSI) in intensive care units (ICU) and morbidity, mortality, and healthcare costs. The objective of our study was to investigate risk analysis as a means of preventing BSI.
Methods: A total of 183 (1.57%) patients diagnosed with BSI were included in the study. Risk analysis was performed by comparing patients over 65 years of age with patients under 65 years of age. Epidemiological data, Glasgow Coma Scales, APACHI-II, expected mortality rates, number of days of hospitalization, C-reactive protein (c-RP), procalcitonin (PRC), microorganism strains, mean days of infection, and mean days of mortality were distributed to both groups. Significant differences facilitating the occurrence of infection were searched. A p-value<0.05 was considered significant. Results: A total of 232 microorganisms were isolated. There were 79 (43.2%) female patients. 102 (55.7%) patients were over 65 years of age. The most common diagnoses among patients were sepsis (14.7%), aspiration pneumonia (13.1%), and COVID-19 (4.9%). The most common comorbidities were diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and cerebrovascular diseases. The expected mortality was 64.53±21.31 in the group under 65 years of age and 64.01±19.57 in the group over 65 years of age. The most commonly isolated microorganisms are A.baumannii (16.38%), Enterococci (14.22%), C.albicans (12.5%), and K.pneumonia (12.07%). Days to infection and mortality were also analyzed between the groups.
Conclusion: No risk factors were identified for BSI. The risk can be reduced by a well-functioning surveillance network, continuous education, and compliance with standard isolation precautions.