Feasibility Study and Design of the ICU Infection Registry System for Patients Admitted to the Alzahra University Hospital in Isfahan: A Methodology Study

Abstract

Background: Data gathering and bioinformatics play a significant role in the management and treatment of patients, especially of critically ill patients. This study assesses the feasibility and design of a registration system for nosocomial infections and sepsis in the intensive care unit of Alzahra university hospital in Isfahan.Methods: The members of the registration system consisting of physicians and nurses of the ICU, infectious disease and pulmonary specialists, microbiologists, infection control supervisors, and librarians. The data collection tool was a researcher-made checklist. To design the framework of the tool, researchers investigated various tools and indices in references and databases such as PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and national databases regarding ICU infection and disease registration systems. Essential items in this field were selected and a preliminary draft was prepared to record the data of patients with ICU-related infections. After applying experts' opinions, the checklist was reviewed, and the final approval of the checklist was obtained.Results: The final version of the checklist is prepared in three parts consisting of demographic data, principle variables (data required for registration of a patient), and the extended variables including details of the principle variables, and the data used to diagnose and treat. Conclusion: The ICU infection registration system can predict the prevalence of infection, monitor services and treatment of patients, analyze survival, assess clinical care outcomes, and investigate drug-related interventions. Reducing hospitalization costs by stratifying patients, providing a database for research studies, assessing the cost-effectiveness of interventions, are other advantages that resulted from the design of this system.