Infections and Antibiotic Use in a Large Private Hospital, January 1971

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Abstract
In a survey of infections and antibiotic usage at the Latter-day Saints Hospital in January 1971, 10.6% of the patients had community-acquired infections and 8.5% had infections acquired in the hospital. At Boston City Hospital in 1970 these prevalence ratios were 20.6% and 12.0%, respectively. Although all types of infections were more prevalent at Boston City Hospital, the greatest difference was noted in the prevalences of community-acquired infections. Gram-negative bacilli accounted for 60% or more of all bacterial isolates from nosocomial infections at both hospitals. The less frequent use of percutaneous intravenous catheters at the Latter-day Saints Hospital was attributed to intravenous therapy teams. Use of antimicrobial agents was similar in both hospitals. Prevalence surveys are useful in comparative studies of hospitals only if observer bias is reduced by identical methods of study.