Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Isolated Patients in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of Esmeraldas Hospital, Ecuador

Abstract

Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on all aspects of healthcare, including the incidence and management of infections associated with patients isolated in intensive care units (ICU). Healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) constitute a major challenge for public health, with significant implications in the economic, social and epidemiological spheres, since they are associated with high rates of morbidity and mortality. Objective: To analyze the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the incidence, types and risk factors associated with HAIs in patients isolated in the ICU of the Esmeraldas Hospital. Materials and methods: A Document Analysis type study was carried out, using the Data Record Form as an instrument, during 10 months of 2021. The variables of age, causal agent, diagnosis at admission and sources of infections associated with care were investigated. In health (IAAS). Results: relevant age with 33.3% for the range of 60-69 years, turned out to be a determining factor in the relationship between HAIs and the age of patients in the ICU. In addition to the main causal agents of healthcare-associated infections (HAI), which were Klebsiella pneumoniae and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, both with an incidence of 27.3% each, it was found that mechanical ventilation was the main source of these infections, representing 73.9% of cases. Conclusion: A relationship was demonstrated between HAIs and the age of patients in the ICU, in addition, who presented respiratory distress syndrome and COVID-19 as an admission diagnosis, the main associated pathology being renal failure, high blood pressure, diabetes, which were also risk factors for COVID-19. Another risk factor was the use of mechanical ventilation, a necessary procedure in the treatment of COVID-19. The high prevalence of certain etiological agents may be a result of increased exposure to invasive devices.