Background: Blood stream infection (BSI) is characterized by high morbidity and mortality between patients. Procalcitonin (PCT) is released by thyroid gland in response to such infection. Adherence to infection control is fundamental to decrease blood stream infection rates.
The aim: Observing role of infection control program on the prevalence of blood stream infection. Evaluating PCT as rapid marker for infection and sepsis.
Methods: patients were divided into group one 33 patients cared by 20 infection control trained nurses and group two of 33 patients cared by 20 non-trained nurses. Incidence of blood stream infection was calculated in both groups by blood culture. Procalcitonin was evaluated as rapid marker diagnosing infection earlier than blood culture and differentiating between causative bacteria.
Results: prevalence of blood stream infection in group two was 51.5% vs 9.1% in group one. Procalcitonin highest levels were significantly associated with severity of infection and sepsis.
Conclusion: prevalence of blood stream infection was significantly higher among patients in group two. Cared by infection control trained nurses. Procalcitonin can be used as a rapid diagnostic marker for blood stream infection.
Recommendations: The study recommends application of frequent infection control training and using procalcitonin as early diagnostic marker for blood stream infection.
Key words: Blood stream infection, infection control measures, procalcitonin.